How long after he baptised Jesus was John the Baptist imprisoned?

Answer 1

Another answer from our community:

At the start of Jesus's public ministry he asked John the Baptist to baptise him. John was arrested and beheaded within Jesus's lifetime, so the time lapse was less than three years.

Answer 2

A:In the synoptic gospels, the arrest of John the Baptist appears to have taken place almost immediately after the baptism of Jesus. Mark chapter 6 is set early in the ministry of Jesus, but tells of Herod having already beheaded John quite some time ago.

John's Gospel appears to make the arrest of John the Baptist a little later in the mission of Jesus. John 3:24 simply say. "For John was not yet cast into prison."

Josephus, the first-century Jewish historian, provides a completely different account. Not only was John the Baptist not beheaded in Galilee or at the instigation of Herodias, but it took place in 35 or early 36 CE. The wedding that triggered John's misfortune did not take place until 34 CE, and a battle that took place in 36 CE was linked indirectly to the fate of John the Baptist. If we accept the traditional dates for the mission of Jesus, John was arrested long after baptism and even after the crucifixion of Jesus. The relevant text from Book 18 of Antiquities of the Jews by Josephus: "Now many people came in crowds to him, for they were greatly moved by his words. Herod, who feared that the great influence John had over the masses might put them into his power and enable him to raise a rebellion (for they seemed ready to do anything he should advise), thought it best to put him to death. In this way, he might prevent any mischief John might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when it would be too late. Accordingly John was sent as a prisoner, out of Herod's suspicious temper, to Macherus, the castle I already mentioned, and was put to death."

Answer 3

According to the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke), John the Baptist was imprisoned in Galilee very soon after the baptism of Jesus. John's Gospel delays the Baptist's imprisonment and execution until later in the mission of Jesus, but still well before the crucifixion of Jesus.

The historical account suggests not only that John the Baptist's imprisonment and execution took place long after the traditional time of Jesus' crucifixion, but also that it took place in faraway Macherus and not necessarily by beheading. The first-century Jewish historian, Josephus, confirms that the reason for John's arrest was his public criticism of Herod Antipas' marriage to his own brother's former wife. The wedding took place in 34 CE and Antipas ordered John to be executed in 35 or 36 CE, out of fear that he was stirring the Jews up for rebellion. This would be some 6 or 7 years after he is said to have baptised Jesus. The relevant text from Book 18 of Antiquities of the Jews:

"Now many people came in crowds to him, for they were greatly moved by his words. Herod, who feared that the great influence John had over the masses might put them into his power and enable him to raise a rebellion (for they seemed ready to do anything he should advise), thought it best to put him to death. In this way, he might prevent any mischief John might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when it would be too late. Accordingly John was sent as a prisoner, out of Herod's suspicious temper, to Macherus, the castle I already mentioned, and was put to death."