Illustration created for this project.

John the Baptist

The son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, a prophet who prepared the way for Jesus, baptised him in the Jordan, and was beheaded by Herod Antipas.

Role: Prophet · Forerunner

Lived: c. 5 BC – c. AD 29

Belonged to: Prophets, Tribe of Levi

Tribe/lineage: Levi

What we know — and how we know it

Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 3 Ancient writers — non-biblical testimony · 1

Family & lineage

BibleSon of the priest Zechariah and Elizabeth, born to them in old age.

Luke 1:13, 57

↳ Elizabeth · Zechariah

Life, role & deeds

BibleHe preached repentance in the wilderness and baptised Jesus in the Jordan.

Matthew 3:1–6, 13

Scan by NYPL — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons) Ancient writersThe Jewish historian Josephus independently records John the Baptist, his following, and his execution by Herod Antipas.

Josephus, 'Antiquities of the Jews' 18.5.2 (§116–119), on John's baptising, his following, and his execution by Herod Antipas at Machaerus; Loeb Classical Library, trans. L. H. Feldman (Harvard University Press, 1965).

Death & legacy

BibleHe was imprisoned and beheaded by Herod Antipas at the urging of Herodias.

Mark 6:27

↳ Herod Antipas

Where in scripture

Matthew Mark Luke

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
Matthew 3:13 — Baptises Jesus

Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring John’s head, and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
Mark 6:27 — Beheaded

But the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
Luke 1:13 — His birth foretold

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.

Matthew 3:13 Mark 6:27 Luke 1:13

Family

In their own words — 30 recorded sayings

“Saying, Let your hearts be turned from sin; for the kingdom of heaven is near.” — Matthew 3:2

“But when he saw a number of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, Offspring of snakes, at whose word are you going in flight from the wrath to come? Let your change of heart be seen in your works: And say not to yourselves, We have Abraham for our father; because I say to you that God is able from these stones to make children for Abraham. And even now the axe is put to the root of the trees; every tree then which does not give good fruit is cut down, and put into the fire. Truly, I give baptism with water to those of you whose hearts are changed; but he who…” — Matthew 3:7-12

“But John would have kept him back, saying, It is I who have need of baptism from you, and do you come to me?” — Matthew 3:14

“Because John had said to him, It is not right for you to have her.” — Matthew 14:4

“And his disciples, questioning him, said, Why then do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?” — Matthew 17:10

“But Jesus made answer and said, You have no idea what you are requesting. Are you able to take of the cup which I am about to take?” — Matthew 20:22

“Now on the first day of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Where are we to make ready for you to take the Passover meal?” — Matthew 26:17

“And he said to them all, There is one coming after me who is greater than I, whose shoes I am not good enough to undo. I have given you baptism with water, but he will give you baptism with the Holy Spirit.” — Mark 1:7-8

…and 22 more recorded sayings.

Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).