John the Baptist
A voice in the wilderness who said, "He must increase, but I must decrease."
New Testament · 1st century · Matthew, Mark, Luke, John · Also known as John the Baptiser, Son of Zechariah
About John the Baptist
John was born to the elderly priest Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth, a relative of Mary. He lived in the wilderness, wore camel’s hair and ate locusts and wild honey, calling people to repent and be baptised. He baptised Jesus in the Jordan and pointed his own followers to him: "Behold the Lamb of God." Imprisoned for rebuking King Herod, he was put to death. Jesus said no one born of women was greater.
Baptism in water was a sign of repentance and a fresh start. The Gospels connect John with Isaiah’s "voice… in the wilderness" and with Malachi’s promise that Elijah would come. His dress echoes Elijah’s, and Jesus himself made the link.
The story
Leaping for joy
Before he was born, when the pregnant Mary visited Elizabeth, "the babe leaped in my womb for joy." When John was born and his father wrote, "His name is John," Zechariah’s voice returned.
Luke 1:39-64
A voice in the wilderness
John lived in the wilderness, dressed in camel’s hair with a leather belt, eating locusts and wild honey. Crowds came out to hear him: "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." He was "the voice of one crying in the wilderness."
Matthew 3:1-6
Baptising Jesus
When Jesus came to be baptised, John tried to stop him: "I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?" Jesus answered, "Suffer it to be so now." As Jesus came up from the water, the Spirit descended like a dove.
Matthew 3:13-17
Behold the Lamb of God
Seeing Jesus coming, John said, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Two of his own disciples left to follow Jesus. When people worried that Jesus was drawing the crowds, John answered, "He must increase, but I must decrease."
John 1:29-37; 3:26-30
Faithful to the end
John told King Herod it was not lawful for him to have his brother’s wife, and was thrown into prison. From there he sent to ask Jesus, "Art thou he that should come?" Jesus pointed to the blind seeing and the poor hearing good news. Herod later had John beheaded.
Matthew 11:2-11; 14:3-12
Key moments
- Leaps in the womb: When Mary greets Elizabeth. (Luke 1:44)
- Preaches in the wilderness: "Prepare ye the way of the Lord." (Matthew 3:3)
- Baptises Jesus: "Suffer it to be so now." (Matthew 3:15)
- "Behold the Lamb of God": Points his disciples to Jesus. (John 1:29)
- Imprisoned by Herod: Faithful to the end. (Matthew 14:3)
Questions about John the Baptist
In meetBible these answers are given in John the Baptist’s voice. They are written by hand and checked against Scripture.
Why did you eat locusts and wild honey?
Scripture records that "his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey." It doesn’t give a reason. Many readers note that my clothing echoes Elijah’s, and that wilderness living fitted a prophet calling people back to God.
Why did Jesus need to be baptised?
I asked him the same thing: "I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?" Jesus answered, "Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness." Then the Spirit came down like a dove, and a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son." Christians have discussed his reasons ever since.
Connected people
- Jesus: Relative; baptised him
- Mary: Relative
- Elijah: Came "in the spirit and power of Elias"
- Elizabeth: Mother
- Zechariah: Father
- Andrew: Former disciple
- Herod Antipas: Imprisoned him
Read it yourself
Start with Luke 1; 3.