John the Baptist
First-century preacher and baptizer revered as a prophet in multiple faiths.
John the Baptist was a religious preacher active near the Jordan River in the early first century AD.[1] Most biblical scholars agree that John baptized Jesus.[2] Christianity, Islam, the Baháʼí Faith, the Druze faith, and Mandaeism all hold John in high regard as a key religious figure, with Mandaeism considering him the final and most vital prophet.[3]
Quick Facts
- Born
- c. 6 BC
- Died
- AD 30
- Cause of death
- Decapitation
- Venerated in
- Christianity (all denominations which venerate saints)
- Islam
- Baháʼí Faith
- Druze faith
- Mandaeism
- Birthplace
- Herodian Kingdom of Judea, Roman Empire
- Place of death
- Machaerus, Province of Judaea, Roman Empire
- Titles
- Prophet; Forerunner and Baptist
- Canonized
- Pre-Congregation
Facts from the source article.
Life and work
The Gospel of Mark introduces John as a fulfilment of a prophecy from the Book of Isaiah.[4] John was sentenced to death and beheaded by Herod Antipas around AD 30 after rebuking him for marrying Herodias.[2] Josephus states that John was executed by order of Herod Antipas in the fortress at Machaerus.[2]
What the cited sources add
In that same account, John states, "I am now saying that Jesus is the Son of God"[5] Casillas explains that John the Baptist ministered "in the spirit and power of Elijah," paralleling Elijah's rustic clothing and bold confrontation of rulers.[6] John the Baptist stated, "I saw the Holy Spirit come down on Jesus as a dove from heaven."[5] Herod was afraid of John because he recognized him as a "righteous and holy man," according to the account in Mark.[7]
References
- Wikipedia, "John the Baptist" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Croll, "John the Baptist: A Biography", Malcolm Down Publishing, 2019, p. 215–216; "Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church", Oxford University Press, 2005, p. 893; "St. John the Baptist"; Cheek, John C., New Testament Translation in America , Journal of Biblical Literature, Vol. 72, No. 2 (Jun. 1953), pp. 103–114 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "John the Baptist" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Croll, "John the Baptist: A Biography", Malcolm Down Publishing, 2019, p. 127–149; Jesus as a figure in history: how modern historians view the man from Galilee. Mark Allan Powell, published by Westminster John Knox Press, p. 47 "Few would dou; Harris, Stephen L. (1985) Understanding the Bible. Palo Alto: Mayfield; Flavius Josephus: Antiquities of the Jews Book 18, 5, 2 Text at Wikisource (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "John the Baptist" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 18.5.2; Funk, Robert W. and the Jesus Seminar (1998), The Acts of Jesus: The search for the Authentic Deeds of Jesus. San Francisco: Harper; "John the Baptist" cameo, p; Compilations, "Lights of Guidance: A Baháʼí Reference File", Baháʼí Publishing Trust, New Delhi, India, 1983, p. 475 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "John the Baptist" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Carl R. Kazmierski, John the Baptist: Prophet and Evangelist (Liturgical Press, 1996) p. 31. (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- "Bible Gateway passage: John 1:29-34 - New Life Version", Bible Gateway. facts only, no text reused. biblegateway.com
- Casillas, "Was John the Baptist Elijah?", BJU Seminary, May 29, 2018. facts only, no text reused. seminary.bju.edu
- "Bible Gateway passage: Mark 6 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised", Bible Gateway. facts only, no text reused. biblegateway.com
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article John the Baptist (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
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