Who was John the baptize?

Answer 1

A:

John the Baptist is known from the writings of the first-century Jewish historian, Josephus. He was a Jew who preached and promoted the concept of baptism, although perhaps not the first to do so. He was clearly very popular throughout Palestine, as Josephus wrote that Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee, feared the great influence John had over the masses, who seemed ready to do anything he advised. When John publicly criticised Herod's marriage in 34 CE to his own brother's former wife, Herod had him arrested and executed in faraway Macherus. The execution took place before King Antipas of Nabatea attacked and defeated Herod in 36 CE, an event which the Jews believed was divine retribution for the execution of John the Baptist, so the execution was still fresh in their minds.

Luke's Gospel says that his mother was called Elizabeth, a cousin of Mary, and his father was Zachariah, although Uta Ranke-Heinemann (Putting Away Childish Things) believes that both Elizabeth and Zachariah were literary creations by the gospel author, meant to create a family relationship between John and Jesus. The gospels say that John baptised for the remission of sins, although Josephus says otherwise. They say that he heralded the coming of Jesus, one greater than he. That being the case, there was no more work for John to do and so the synoptic gospels bring forward his death to around 29 CE, at the very beginning of Jesus' mission, adding the elaboration of Herodias' daughter dancing for John's head on a platter.

Answer 2

John the Baptist was a Christian prophet, who began baptizing people in the Jordan River prior to Jesus' ministry. John the Baptist baptized many people, but he was arrested and beheaded for baptizing one famous person: Jesus Christ.

Answer 3

John the Baptist was Jesus' cousin, who later in life ended up batizing Jesus himself. John the Baptist was Jesus' cousin, who later in life ended up batizing Jesus himself.

Answer 4

Jesus as well as many other believers

Answer 5

John, the Baptist was not a Christian.