John the Baptist
| John the Baptist | |
|---|---|
John the Baptist at the Jordan
| |
| Period | Around A.D. 27 |
| Family | Father: Zechariah, Mother: Elizabeth |
| Occupation(Features) | The last prophet of the Old Testament |
| Activity area | Near the Jordan River |
| Attire | Robe of camel’s hair, leather belt |
| Major achievements | Preached in the Desert of Judea (Mt 3:1) Baptized people in the Jordan River (Mt 3:6) |
John the Baptist is the one who fulfilled the mission of Elijah by preparing the way for Christ, God who came in the flesh.[1] He earned the title John the Baptist because he baptized many people, including Jesus Christ, in the Jordan River.[2] The name John is a Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name יוֹחָנָן (Yohanan),[3] which means Jehovah is gracious. He was the son of Zechariah, a priest of Abijah division, and Elizabeth, a descendant of Aaron from the Levite.[4] Elizabeth was a relative of Mary, the mother of Jesus. John was conceived about six months before Jesus.[5] The New Testament states that Jesus began His gospel ministry at the age of 30, following His baptism by John the Baptist.[6]
Historical Background
Approximately 2,000 years ago, Israel was under Roman rule, burdened by heavy taxation and the oppressive reign of King Herod, an Edomite. Tax collectors demanded more than the required amount, adding to the people’s suffering. Meanwhile, religious leaders, entangled in Roman political affairs, had become corrupt, deepening the nation’s spiritual despair. Longing for deliverance, the people eagerly awaited the Messiah who would lift their burdens and free them from Roman oppression. It was in this turbulent time that John the Baptist appeared.
Life
Birth
John the Baptist’s parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, were righteous people who faithfully followed all of God’s commandments and laws.[7] However, they remained childless into their old age. One day, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah, sent by God, and announced that he and Elizabeth would have a son named John. Gabriel revealed that John would prepare the way for Christ, God who comes in the flesh, fulfilling the mission of Elijah.[8] However, Zechariah doubted the angel’s words because he and his wife were advanced in age. As a result, he was struck mute and he could not speak until the child was born.[9]
As foretold, Elizabeth conceived and gave birth to a son. Their neighbors and relatives planned to name the child after his father, Zechariah, but Elizabeth firmly declared, “His name will be John.” Curious, the relatives turned to Zechariah for confirmation. Unable to speak, he took a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.”[10] Immediately, his mouth was opened, he began to speak, and he praised God.[11]
Ministry
- Urging Repentance and Baptism
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus, John began preaching in the Desert of Judea. At his powerful call to repentance—”Repent!”—many people turned from their sins. Many Jews, including tax collectors and soldiers, confessed their sins and received baptism from John as a sign of their repentance.[2][12]
And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
- Baptism of Jesus Christ
Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. Recognizing that Jesus was the Messiah, the Christ, John initially refused to baptize Him.[13] However, when Jesus said, “It is God’s will,” John obeyed and baptized Him. As John baptized Jesus, he witnessed the Holy Spirit descending upon Him and heard a voice from heaven declaring, “This is my Son, whom I love.”[14][15] At that time, John was highly revered by the people—some even thought that he was the Messiah to come.[16] However, he remained humbled, dedicating himself to proclaiming that Jesus was the true Christ.[17][18][19]
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ . . . I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.”
Afterward, Jesus went with His disciples to Judea, staying there to teach people. Meanwhile, John continued baptizing people in Aenon, near Jerusalem, testifying about Jesus Christ.[20] After John was arrested, Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom in Galilee.[21]
Death
John the Baptist was imprisoned after condemning the immoral marriage of Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee and Berea, and Herodias. Herodias, harboring deep resentment against John, sought to kill him, but she was unsuccessful. This was because, although Herod had imprisoned John, he feared him and protected him, recognizing him as a holy man.[22][23]
Herodias had a daughter, Salome, from a previous marriage. During a banquet, Salome performed a captivating dance before Herod and his distinguished guests. Pleased, Herod swore to grant her any request. Following her mother’s instructions, Salome asked for the execution of John the Baptist.[24] Though deeply troubled, Herod, bound by his public oath before the assembled dignitaries, reluctantly ordered John’s beheading.[25]
The Mission of Elijah and John the Baptist
Testify About the Messiah
The Old Testament foretold the coming of a prophet who would prepare the way for the Messiah.[26][27] The New Testament identifies John the Baptist as the one who fulfilled this prophecy, preparing the way for Jesus, who came to earth as the Messiah. Malachi 3:1 states, “I will send My messenger [Elijah], who will prepare the way before Me.” This prophecy foreshadowed John the Baptist, who, before Jesus began preaching the gospel of the kingdom, called people to repentance and baptized them, preparing the way for Christ.
As crowds gathered around John, some mistook him for the Christ. However, John humbly declared, “After me will come one who is more powerful than I.” After baptizing Jesus, John, moved by the Holy Spirit, testified that Jesus was the Savior. Jesus Himself confirmed that John was the Elijah who had come to prepare the way for the Messiah.
Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. . . . Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.
Camel-Hair Robe and Leather Belt
The Bible describes the prophet Elijah as wearing a garment of camel hair with a leather belt around his waist. In the Old Testament, King Ahaziah of northern Israel immediately recognized Elijah based solely on this description.[28] Likewise, John the Baptist, who was entrusted with Elijah’s mission to prepare the way for Christ, also wore a camel-hair robe and a leather belt. This attire symbolized his prophetic calling as the Elijah to come.[29]
See also
References
- ↑ "Matthew 11:14".
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Matthew 3:5–6".
- ↑ Strong's Hebrew: 3110. יוֹחָנָן, Bible Hub
- ↑ "Luke 1:5, 13".
- ↑ "Luke 1:30–36".
- ↑ "Luke 3:21–23".
- ↑ "Luke 1:6".
- ↑ "Luke 1:13–17".
- ↑ "Luke 1:20".
- ↑ "Luke 1:62-63".
- ↑ "Luke 1:64".
- ↑ "Luke 3:3".
- ↑ "Matthew 3:13-15".
- ↑ "Matthew 3:16–17".
- ↑ "John 1:32".
- ↑ "Luke 3:15".
- ↑ "Matthew 3:11–12".
- ↑ "Mark 1:7–8".
- ↑ "Luke 3:16–17".
- ↑ "John 3:22–30".
- ↑ "Mark 1:14–15".
- ↑ "Mark 6:19–20".
- ↑ "Matthew 14:3–4".
- ↑ "Matthew 14:6–8".
- ↑ "Mark 6:25–28".
- ↑ "Malachi 3:1".
- ↑ "Isaiah 40:3–9".
- ↑ "2 Kings 1:8".
- ↑ "Mark 1:6".