John the Baptist 1

Running head: John the Baptist

The Life and Death of John the Baptist

Joshua Vick

New Testament

REL 112

07/12/2010
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Abstract

During the short time Jesus walked the Earth there were many false prophets claiming to be

sent by the Messiah. Just like in modern times only not quite as prevalent as it is today. John

the Baptist was unlike any other minister or prophet of his time. He never claimed to be sent

by the Messiah to be the chosen one. He acted as a mouth piece for the one true God.
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The Life and Death of John the Baptist

Birth/Early Life

John the Baptist was born approximately 6 B.C. to Zachariah and Elizabeth. The birth of

this young child was a miracle within itself. Elizabeth was sterile and both she and Zachariah

were in well advanced in age when an angle came to Zachariah and proclaimed to him that

Elizabeth was with child and would bear him a son. The Gospel of Luke speaks about the events

surrounding the announcement of the John’s arrival. “Then an angle of the Lord appear to him,

standing at the right of side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled

and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, your prayer

has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you are to give him the name John.

(Luke 1: 11-13)

The new was glorious to Zachariah but still he had many doubts about the angles

announcement. In fact because he doubted what the angel of God told him. “The angel

answered, “I am Gabriel, I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you

and tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this

happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.”

(Luke 1: 19-20). Sure enough Zachariah was struck dumb due to his doubt of God’s promise to

him. In fact, due to this recent condition he was unable to share the good news of his miracle

with his family and friends.

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True to form Elizabeth it was determined that Elizabeth was indeed with child and went

into seclusion for the five months she carried the baby. When the baby was born Elizabeth

proclaimed to their friends that the child was to be named John. In the instance that Elizabeth

spoke these words Zachariah’s speech was restored and he prophesied.

John and Jesus were related. Jesus’ mother and John’s mother were cousins. There are

accounts that as little boys the two of them were very good friends and played together. In fact

it wasn’t long after John the Baptist was born Jesus was also born of Mary in pretty much the

same manner.

John’s Ministry

Even though John’s life was very short there are several passages in both the old and

New Testament speaking of John the Baptist. The Gospel of Luke speaks of John’s brief life and

importance in the work that Jesus was doing. “As it is written in the book of the words of

Isaiah the prophet: A voice of once calling in the desert, prepare the way for the Lord, make

straight paths for him. (Luke 3:4)

John the Baptist’s ministry was a very unique in the way he ministered to the people.

John was what you would call the pioneering type of person. The majority of his teachings and

preaching was conducted in the wilderness. His message was a message of God’s grace and

love. In addition he spoke often of the coming Messiah and the message and importance they

would have on the lives of people.

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One of the main reasons that John is speaking of so often in the bible was due to the

mentioning of baptism. Up until the story of John and his ministry in the bible there was very

little mentioning of people being baptized. People would travel from all around the towns

where John was preaching just to hear him preach and be baptized by this vessel of God.

One of the things that John is most noted for can be found in the third chapter of Luke.

It states “When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was

praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove.

And a voice came from heaven: “You are my son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased”

(Luke 3: 21-22). It was John the Baptist who baptized Jesus. When Jesus came to John to be

baptized John was very hesitant of doing this due to the prophecy that had been foretold of

Jesus. John did however baptize Jesus as requested. “And with many other words John

exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.” (Luke 3:18)

Death

John was approximately 42 years old when he died. There are several accounts that

speak of his death but the best documentation states that he was locked up in prison by King

Herod after he rebuked him. “But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias,

his brother’s wife, all the other evil things he had done, Herod added this to them all: He

locked John up in prison. (Luke 3:19-20). The, at the request of Herodias, John was up to death

by Herod by being beheaded for the comments he had made against her. Some say that John’s

work on earth was finished and that he had fulfilled what had been prophesied he would come

to do.
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Old Testament Prophecy

It has been believed for centuries that John the Baptist had a significant role in

preparing the way for Jesus’ arrival on earth. From his conception, preaching, baptism, and

even death were mentioned many times in the Old Testament. Many Christians beloved that

passages found in the book of Malachi foretold of John the Baptist’s coming.

“See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me.” (Malachi 3:1)

“See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord

comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to

their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse. “(Malachi 4: 5-6)

Various Information about John the Baptist

John the Baptist’s role in the bible and the ministry of Jesus was very important and

needed so that the Messiah’s coming could be completed. As a result of John’s ministry the

Roman Catholic church commemoratives him on two feast days; June 24 th Nativity of John the

Baptist, and August 29th Beheading of John the Baptist.

The Islamic bible or teachings also speak of John the Baptist. Yahya is the name for John

the Baptist in the Qur’an. In the Qur’an there is talk of Jesus’ relation to John the Baptist and

the role he had in baptizing him.

Under the Baha’i writings of Bahaullah, founder of the Baha’i faith, it is quoted “O

followers of the Son! We have once again sent John unto you, and He, verily, hath cried out in

the wilderness of the Bayan O peoples of the world! Cleanse your eyes! The Day whereon ye
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can behold the Promised One and attain unto Him hath drawn nigh! O followers of the Gospel!

Prepare the way! The Day of the advent of the Glorious Lord is at hand! Make ready to enter

the Kingdom. Thus hath it been ordained by God, He Who causeth the dawn to break”

Conclusion

Though only on Earth for a very short time John the Baptist played a vital role in

proclaiming the news of the coming Jesus and Messiah. Without John’s birth, as prophesied in

the both the old and new testament parts of the importance of Jesus’ time here on earth would

not have been fulfilled. The interesting thing about it is that even other religions that do not

completely teach about Jesus being the important people he was to the Christian faith he is

always mentioned when Jesus is talked about in other readings. Just goes to prove one thing

that one man can indeed make a huge impact when he is sent by God.
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References

Baha’u’llah (2003) [1862]. Kitáb-i-Íqán: The Book of Certitude. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Baha’i Publishing

Trust

Barke, Kenneth, Gen Ed (1995) The NIV Study Bible, Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House

Watt, W. M., and R. Bell, Introduction to the Qur’an, Edinburgh University Press, 2001

Souvay, C. (1910). St. John the Baptist. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton

Company. Retrieved July 6, 2010 from New Advent: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08486b.htm

Watt, W. M., and R. Bell, Introduction to the Qur’an, Edinburgh University Press, 2001