What are the traits of John the Baptist?

Answer 1

John the Baptist. Son of Zacharias and Elisabeth, being of priestly descent through both parents. This lineage was essential, since John was the embodiment of the law of Moses, designed to prepare the way for the Messiah and make ready a people to receive him. He was the outstanding bearer of the Aaronic Priesthood in all history, and was entrusted with its most noble mission.

His forthcoming birth and the nature of his ministry were announced to John's father by the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:5-25). He was a child of promise, with prophecies of his mission having been given by Isaiah (40:3) and Malachi (3:1; He grew up in the desert until the time arrived for his ministry to prepare the way for the Savior.

Answer 2

A:John the Baptist held high ethical values and was a man of great courage, willing to risk his life by publicly criticising the marriage of Herod Antipas to his own brother's former wife. For these qualities, he was much admired by the Jews and when King Aretas attacked and defeated Antipas in 36 CE, the Jews saw this as divine retribution for his execution of John the previous year.

Josephus describes the effect that John the Baptist had on the Jews in 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."

Answer 3

John the Baptist was a popular Jewish religious leader of the early first century CE. From what we know outside The Bible, he seems to have resolved to encourage high moral standards, for which he probably sought commitment through baptism. Perhaps because of his popularity, the gospels portray him as venerating Jesus, saying he was not worthy to stoop down and unloose Jesus shoes, thereby encouraging those who held him in the highest regard to believe that John would have wanted them to follow Jesus.

We have two slightly different stories about John the Baptist, one in the New Testament gospels and another in the writings of the first century Jewish historian Josephus. Both sources agree that John was arrested for publicly criticising the marriage of Herod Antipas to his own brother's former wife, but the gospels place the arrest and execution of John at the beginning of Jesus' mission, in 29 CE. Josephus tells us that the wedding actually took place in 34 CE and resulted in Aretas, king of Nabatea, attacking Herod Antipas in 36 CE. With the execution of John fresh in memory, the Jews believed that Antipas defeat at the hands of Aretas was God's punishment for the death of the Baptist.

Answer 4

He is designated as a humble and obedient man.

Answer 5

A very holy & zealous person.