What are three facts about John the Baptist?

Answer 1

A:

For factual information about John the Baptist, we can do no better than look at the writings of the first- century Jewish historian, Josephus. He tells us (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 18) that:

1. John baptised for the purification of the body.
2. John was imprisoned and executed after the wedding of Herod Antipas to Herodias, his own brother's former wife, in 34 CE, and shortly 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. This places John's execution in 35 or early 36 CE.
3. John's execution took place on the direct orders of Herod Antipas, who feared that he could stir up a rebellion after he publicly criticised Herod's marriage.

The gospel accounts are in general agreement with Josephus, but say that John baptised for the remission of sins, not for the purification of the body. They also agree that John was arrested after criticising the marriage of Herod Antipas to Herodias, but the synoptic gospels appear to place his arrest around 29 CE and John's Gospel places it some time later but still before the crucifixion of Jesus. They say that Herod was loath to execute John the Baptist, but was tricked into doing so by Herodias and her daughter.