John
Wilderness preacher who baptized Jesus and was beheaded by Herod.
John the Baptist is a prophet and forerunner who preached in the wilderness of Judaea (Matthew 3:1). He wore camel’s hair and a leather girdle, and ate locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6). He baptized Jesus in the Jordan River (Matthew 3:13), though he initially hesitated, saying he needed to be baptized by Jesus instead (Matthew 3:14).
Lore & Background
John the Baptist appears as a prophetic figure preparing the way for Jesus. He preaches a baptism of repentance for remission of sins (Mark 1:4) and is recognized by the people as a prophet (Matthew 21:26). Jesus himself affirms John’s role, stating that all the prophets and the law prophesied until John (Matthew 11:13), and that John is the Elijah who was to come (Matthew 17:13).
Reader's Guide
The passages portray John as a distinct, ascetic figure whose ministry centers on repentance and baptism. He is not a miracle-worker but a voice calling in the wilderness. His confrontation with Herod over Herodias leads to his imprisonment and execution (Matthew 14:3-4, 10). Jesus speaks highly of John, calling him more than a prophet and the greatest among those born of women (Matthew 11:9, 11). Yet John himself acknowledges Jesus’ superiority (Matthew 3:14). The passages also show John’s disciples interacting with Jesus, asking about fasting (Matthew 9:14) and later reporting John’s doubts from prison (Matthew 11:2-4). The people’s view of John as a prophet is contrasted with the religious leaders’ rejection of his baptism (Matthew 21:25-32).
Did You Know?
- John was imprisoned for telling Herod it was unlawful to marry his brother Philip’s wife, Herodias (Matthew 14:3-4).
- Herod thought Jesus might be John the Baptist risen from the dead (Matthew 14:2).
Elsewhere in Figures of Scripture
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