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John the Baptist
Known as being rather eccentric for his day, John the Baptist was preacher and, according to some religions, a prophet during the time of Jesus. Questions about John the Baptist can be directed here.
593 Questions
How many siblings does John the Baptist have?
There is no Bible evidence to support the idea that John the Baptist had any siblings. Elizabeth, his mother was already an aged women when she miraculously became pregnant and gave birth to John her first born.
What did Zechariah call John the Baptist?
Among the gospel authors only the author of Luke seems to have known anything about John the Baptist's family. It is very unlikely that the auther evangelists would have failed to pass on this important information had they known of it. Uta Ranke-Heinemann (Putting Away Childish Things) suggests that Luke's story of John the Baptist's infancy is not literally true, in which case we do not even know his father's name.
What was St. John the Baptist known for?
John the Baptist was the cousin of Jesus Christ. His mother Elizabeth was Mary's sister. He was chosen to be the announcer that the Messiah Jesus Christ had come. He called himself "A voice crying in the wilderness." He introduced Christ to the world as "The Lamb of God that taketh away all sin."
John the Baptist was the son of the Priest Zachariah husband of Elisabeth, cousin of Mary mother of Christ. Like Jesus, John the Baptist was also conceived miraculously.
Luke 1:7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Saint John the Baptist (lat. Sanctus Io(h)annes Baptista, heb. Jochanan ben Sacharja, Arab. يحيى Yaḥyā or يوحنا Yūḥanna, aram. Yohanoun) (died c. 30)[1] was a preacher and ascetic who according to Christian tradition, attracted large crowds on the banks of the Jordan River, suggesting repentence and baptism in view of the imminent coming of the Kingdom of God.[2] Jesus was one of those whom he baptized. He was killed by Herod Antipas, whom John had denounced for his (incestuous) marriage.[2] Jesus' own ministry followed John's, and some of Jesus' early followers had previously been followers of John.[3] John, like Jesus, preached at a time of political, social, and religious conflict, and he prophesied that fire was coming to destroy the wicked. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_baptist
Where did St John the Baptist minister?
John lived primarily in the deserts around Jerusalem, in Judea.
How long after he baptised Jesus was John the Baptist imprisoned?
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.
What did Jesus say when he was told of john the baptist death?
Matthew records that after John's execution by Herod Jesus left to go to a desert place with His disciples.
13When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. Mark and Luke add the additional detail that the disciples had just returned from their 'preaching assignment' and do not mention that the going off to a place alone was a direct reaction to John's death. In fact the suggestion is that there was so much going on that the opportunity for a private 'debriefing' necessitated them getting away from the crowd and so not necessarily as a direct reaction to John's death. Matthew does not necessarily imply that the departure was a direct consequence of John's execution either or that Jesus was fleeing for His life in fear and trembling. There were a number of occasions when Jesus, due to the crowds that followed Him, sought for some 'peace and quiet' either for His own sake or for the disciples (that they could be taught in peace) or both.
29And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb. 30And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. 31And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. 9And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him. 10And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
Did John the Baptist send disciples to Jesus?
John 1:36 (KJV) And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
John 1:37 (KJV) And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
John 1:38 (KJV) Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?
John 1:39 (KJV) He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.
John 1:40 (KJV) One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
John 1:41 (KJV) He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.
Why was Herod reluctant to kill John the Baptist?
"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."
Was Jesus talking to John the Baptist when he said 'behold thy mother'?
The story of the disciple, at the foot of the cross occurs only in John's Gospel. The other gospels say that Mary and those of Jesus' acquaintance stood afar off, leaving no room for Mary or any disciple to be near the cross.
During the second century, the Church Fathers also wondered who this disciple was, whom Jesus loved. They noticed that the apostle John was never mentioned in this gospel, although John was one of the most important disciples in the other gospels. They then came to the conclusion that the 'disciple whom Jesus loved' must have been John. They took this a step further. The gospel had been written anonymously and they needed to establish, to their own satisfaction, who probably wrote it. They surmised that the author, out of modesty, had chosen not to write about himself in the book and that this gospel was written by the same disciple, John.
In fact, we do not know who wrote this gospel, in spite of it now being called John's Gospel, and we do not know who the author had in mind when he wrote of the 'disciple whom Jesus loved'. The unnamed disciple was not John the Baptist, the apostle John or any real person. He was really a literary creation of the Gospel's author, as evidenced by the quite contradictory stories in the other gospels.
What is the message of John the Baptist?
to repent of their sins because the messiah or savior was coming and he baptized them in the waters of the Jordan River as a sign of purification
Jesus was baptized by John the baptist
jesus and john were cousins
Jesus and John the Baptist who is the older one?
John in fact is not pictured so much older than Christ, as the account in Luke defines him as exactly 6 months older than Christ. (Luke 1:25 - 36).
Remember that John had the spirit of Elijah as it is defined in Malachi chapter 4 verse 5: " Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord, and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children to their fathers... Christ explains the details in Matthew 17:10-13.
Remember that one with the spirit of Elijah will come again before the return of Christ and the Day of the Lord. To fulfill the prophecy of Malachi. The day of the Lord is given in Revelation 20:3-4. Satan is locked away after the great deception and Christ reigns for 1000 years.
Was John the Baptist dead in Elizabeth's womb when Mary visited her?
The Bible doesn't say, specifically, but his body was taken by his disciples to be buried. this probably means he had no living relatives, as in Jewish custom it was the responsibility of the relatives to bury their own. Mark 6:25 And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.... 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, .... 29 And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
Why is Saint John the Baptist Day celebrated?
Actually, we do not know the date of the birth of John the Baptist nor of the birth date of Jesus. However, the Church chose to celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25. John, according to scripture, was about 6 months older than Jesus so he was given the date of June 24.
Who died first John the Baptist or Jesus?
John the Baptist died first.
Matthew 14:10-13 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
Why was John the Baptist put in jail by herod?
According to the record in Scriptures, Herod Antipas was unsure of what was happening when Jesus had begun His healing ministry and was sending forth His disciples to minister. At first He superstitiously thought it was John the Baptist, "risen from the dead," for he had murdered him.
In Mark 6:17,18, we have the most complete record of the reason for the imprisonment: "For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife."
One day Herodias' daughter (often named Salome), danced before Herod on his birthday in front of his entourage of leaders. Herod was so pleased, that he promised Salome "Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom." (v. 23). Because his illegal wife hated John, she conspired with her daughter to ask for his head. Therefore, although "the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison," (vv. 26,27).
When others were speculating who Jesus was to Herod, the Scripture says: " But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead." (v. 16). This was after he had murdered John in prison. John had begun his ministry "in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar (27 A.D., as in Luke 3:1). According to Matthew 4:12, John had been imprisoned just before Jesus began His own public ministry, calling His disciples. Christ had trained His disciples, and sometime before He fed the five thousand, he began ministering around Galilee, when Herod Antipas noticed, thinking it was John, risen from the dead.
Therefore, John had been dead for some short time, as recorded in: Matthew 14:1; Mark 6:14; Luke 9:7. All the early church Fathers agree to 2 B.C. as the birth of Christ, or the 41st year of Caesar Augustus reign. Jesus started His ministry in His 30th year, according to Luke 3:23. Therefore, His crucifixion was in 32 A.D. John the Baptist was imprisoned circa 29/30 A.D. He was undoubtedly beheaded within a year, about the time that Christ went up to Galilee.
Answer
Matthew 14:3-5 (The Message)
Herod had arrested John, put him in chains, and sent him to prison to placate Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. John had provoked Herod by naming his relationship with Herodias "adultery." Herod wanted to kill him, but he was afraid because so many people revered John as a prophet of God.
John the Baptist told Herod he couldn't have a relationship with Herodias, because Herodias was Herod's brother's wife, and that would be adultery. That's why Herod put John in jail. He wanted to kill him, but he was afraid to, because people thought of him as a prophet of God. However, because of Herodias's trick, Herod ends up having to behead John later. (verses 6-12)
Another Answer:
John the Baptist was imprisoned as a result of his own actions. He was willing to sacrifice his freedom and then his life because of what he believed.
John had publicly criticised Herod Antipas for his marriage to Herodias, the former wife of Antipas' own brother, which John said was immoral. The wedding took place in 34 CE and John was executed in 35 or early 36 CE on the orders of Herod Antipas, out of fear that he was stirring the Jews up for rebellion. The relevant text from Book 18 of Antiquities of the Jews by the first-century Jewish historian, 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."
Were Jesus and John the Baptist good friends?
According to New Testament accounts, John knew OF Jesus by the working of the Holy Spirit, but on a personal level John didn't have opportunity to know Jesus well at all. John 1:32-34 -And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God." Matthew's gospel tells that Jesus learned John was in prison as soon as He returned from being tempted in the wilderness. Apparently Herod had John arrested at some point during those 40 days immediately after John baptized Jesus (see Matthew 3:16, 17 and Matt. 4:1-2; 11-12). Once Jesus' ministry began, John's work was completed (John 3:30). Herod later had John beheaded (Matt. 14), and he never had a chance to become friends with Jesus. The gospel accounts show that Jesus and His disciple John (the brother of James) were what we would call "good friends."
What was John's job before he was a gospel writer?
However, all the New Testament gospels were originally anonymous and this gospel was not attributed to Paul's companion until the second century, principally because the same author wrote Acts of the Apostles and the Church Fathers thought that it could have been written by a well educated companion of Paul. However, modern New Testament scholars do not believe that this Luke was the real author of the gospel. We know nothing about 'Luke', the author of the gospel, and therefore do not know what his job wass.
When was St. John the Baptist canonized?
In the early Church, saints were received by the Church due to popular acclaim and local ecclesiastical approval. St. John the Baptist was declared a saint by Christ Himself, Who said of John that he was one of the greatest born of the Old Testament.
Against whom did John the Baptist preach?
A:
According to the first-century Jewish historian, Josephus, John preached against Herod Antipas because he had married his own brother's former wife, to the point that Antipas feared he could raise an insurrection against him. The wedding had taken place in 34 CE and John was finally arrested and executed in 35 or early 36 CE. 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."
Why did Jesus need John the Baptist?
John was sent to prepare the way for Jesus through preaching to the Jews of the need for repentance,the subsequent forgiveness of sins, and the use of baptism as a sign of that. This was a new concept for the Jewish people, and prepared their hearts for the coming of Jesus who was the means of forgiveness. The Jews had long been looking for a Messiah, and John alerted them to the imminent coming.
Did Jesus know John the Baptist before being baptized?
- According to Matthew's Gospel - yes, because as soon as John saw Jesus, he forbade Jesus to be baptised. Yet, when John was in prison, he sent messengers to Jesus, asking of him whether he was the one he had promised would come.
- Also according to Luke's Gospel, yes - John and Jesus were second cousins. The considerable detail that Luke records about the births of both John and Jesus attests that there must have been a very close family relationship. Nevertheless, when John was in prison, he sent messengers to Jesus, asking of him whether he was the one he had promised would come.
- According to John's Gospel - no, because John says that he did not know Jesus until he saw the dove descend upon him.
When did St John the Baptist live?
Other answers from our community:
John the Baptist was a contemporary of Jesus. He was the son of Elizabeth and Zacharias (Luke 1:5-7) and was conceived six months before Jesus. (Luke 1:39-56
John the Baptist was born 6 months before Jesus circa late March, early April 5 BC. He prepared the way for our Savior circa 25-27 AD and was beheaded shortly after the beginning of Jesus' ministry which began in 27 AD.
How was John the Baptist beheaded?
Another answer from our community:This depends entirely on one's definition of 'shortly.' Since the Gospel accounts after the Baptism of Jesus are focusing on Jesus and not John, it is difficult to get an exact time frame. However, it certainly was within the three year time period of Jesus' ministry as it occurred before Jesus' own death. John also spent some time in prison before being executed. There was also a period of time between John's being executed and Jesus being crucified. So, it would appear to have been anything from 6 months to 2 or slightly more years after.
According to the Gospel records, it would appear that John may have been arrested relatively soon after Jesus was baptized. However, we do not know the length of his imprisonment. We know that there were gaps in the chronological record and we also know that we do not know how long these were. There is of course nothing unusual in this in either the Gospels or in other ancient writings which tended to focus on key events rather than strict chronology.
Were the apostle John and John the Baptist both related to Jesus?
John the Baptist was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1:5-25). Jesus was Mary's son, conceived through the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26-38). Mary was Elizabeth's cousin (Luke 1:36). So the relation between Jesus and John the Baptist was that of second cousins.
Jesus and John the Baptist were cousins. Elizabeth, the mother of John, was the cousin of Mary.
Who was John the Baptist's father?
Other answers from our community:
zacharia and elizibeth
His father was a priest named Zacharias, and his mother was a woman of Aaronic descent named Elizabeth. See Luke chapter one.
AnswerJohn the Baptist was the son of Elizabeth and Zacharias. They were both very old, and Elizabeth was barren. However Elizabeth became pregnant after a divine revelation to Zacharias. Zacharias was a priest at the temple and allowed the honor of burning the insence. It was then that God told him that his wife would give birth to a son. Zacharias did not believe that she would become pregnant and was not allowed to speak until the birth of John.
