The Baptist, a prophet who prepared the way for Jesus
John
Named in 89 verses across 5 books, first in Matthew 3:1.
ἸωάννηςJohn
The name means “the grace or mercy of the Lord.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
About John Written by AI
John the Baptist was a significant figure in the New Testament who played a crucial role in preparing the way for Jesus Christ. He was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, born miraculously in their old age (Luke 1:13). John lived an ascetic life in the wilderness, wearing camel's hair and eating locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6). As a prophet, John preached a message of repentance and baptized people in the Jordan River (Matthew 3:1; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:2). He emphasized the importance of bearing fruit worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:8) and warned of the coming judgment (Matthew 3:10). Many people, including tax collectors and soldiers, came to be baptized by him (Luke 3:12). John's ministry reached its climax when Jesus came to be baptized by him (Matthew 3:13 to 14; Mark 1:9). John initially hesitated, recognizing Jesus' superiority, but Jesus insisted, and John baptized Him. This event marked the beginning of Jesus' public ministry. Later, John was imprisoned by Herod Antipas for criticizing Herod's marriage to his brother's wife (Matthew 4:12; 14.3-4; Mark 6:17 to 18; Luke 3:20). While in prison, John sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah (Matthew 11:2 to 3; Luke 7:18 to 19). Jesus responded by pointing to His miracles and teachings, affirming His identity (Matthew 11:4 to 6; Luke 7:22 to 23). Tragically, John was beheaded at the request of Herodias' daughter (Matthew 14:8 to 10; Mark 6:24 to 28). Jesus praised John as a great prophet and more than a prophet, the one who prepared the way for the Messiah (Matthew 11:7 to 14; Luke 7:24 to 28). John's disciples continued to follow some of his practices even after his death, such as fasting (Matthew 9:14; Mark 2:18; Luke 5:33). Jesus spoke of John's greatness and his role in salvation history (Matthew 11:11 to 13; Luke 16:16). The early Church recognized John as the forerunner of Christ, fulfilling the prophecies of Isaiah and Malachi (Matthew 3:3; 11.10; Mark 1:2; Luke 3:4 to 6; 7.27).
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
This entry is on the name John, and may cover more than one person or place by that name.
(1.) One who, with Annas and Caiaphas, sat in judgment on the apostles Peter and John (Acts 4:6). He was of the kindred of the high priest; otherwise unknown.
(2.) The Hebrew name of Mark (q.v.). He is designated by this name in the acts of the Apostles (12:12, 25; 13:5, 13; 15:37).
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(3.) THE APOSTLE, brother of James the “Greater” (Matt. 4:21; 10:2; Mark 1:19; 3:17; 10:35). He was one, probably the younger, of the sons of Zebedee (Matt. 4:21) and Salome (Matt. 27:56; comp. Mark 15:40), and was born at Bethsaida. His father was apparently a man of some wealth (comp. Mark 1:20; Luke 5:3; John 19:27). He was doubtless trained in all that constituted the ordinary education of Jewish youth. When he grew up he followed the occupation of a fisherman on the Lake of Galilee. When John the Baptist began his ministry in the wilderness of Judea, John, with many others, gathered round him, and was deeply influenced by his teaching. There he heard the announcement, “Behold the Lamb of God,” and forthwith, on the invitation of Jesus, became a disciple and ranked among his followers (John 1:36, 37) for a time. He and his brother then returned to their former avocation, for how long is uncertain. Jesus again called them (Matt. 4: 21; Luke 5:1-11), and now they left all and permanently attached themselves to the company of his disciples. He became one of the innermost circle (Mark 5:37; Matt. 17:1; 26:37; Mark 13:3). He was the disciple whom Jesus loved. In zeal and intensity of character he was a “Boanerges” (Mark 3:17). This spirit once and again broke out (Matt. 20:20-24; Mark 10:35-41; Luke 9:49, 54). At the betrayal he and Peter follow Christ afar off, while the others betake themselves to hasty flight (John 18:15). At the trial he follows Christ into the council chamber, and thence to the praetorium (18:16, 19, 28) and to the place of crucifixion (19:26, 27). To him and Peter, Mary first conveys tidings of the resurrection (20:2), and they are the first to go and see what her strange words mean. After the resurrection he and Peter again return to the Sea of Galilee, where the Lord reveals himself to them (21:1, 7). We find Peter and John frequently after this together (Acts 3:1; 4:13). John remained apparently in Jerusalem as the leader of the church there (Acts 15:6; Gal. 2:9). His subsequent history is unrecorded. He was not there, however, at the time of Paul’s last visit (Acts 21:15-40). He appears to have retired to Ephesus, but at what time is unknown. The seven churches of Asia were the objects of his special care (Rev. 1:11). He suffered under persecution, and was banished to Patmos (1:9); whence he again returned to Ephesus, where he died, probably about A.D. 98, having outlived all or nearly all the friends and companions even of his maturer years. There are many interesting traditions regarding John during his residence at Ephesus, but these cannot claim the character of historical truth.
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Matthew 3:1
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea
- Matthew 3:4
John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
- Matthew 3:13
At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
- Matthew 3:14
But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?”
- Matthew 4:12
When Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee.
- Matthew 9:14
Then John’s disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often, but Your disciples do not fast?”
- Matthew 11:2
Meanwhile John heard in prison about the works of Christ, and he sent his disciples
- Matthew 11:4
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
- Matthew 11:7
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind?
- Matthew 11:11
Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
- Matthew 11:12
From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the violent lay claim to it.
- Matthew 11:13
For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.
- Matthew 11:18
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’
- Matthew 14:2
and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
- Matthew 14:3
Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,
- Matthew 14:4
because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
- Matthew 14:8
Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
- Matthew 14:10
and sent to have John beheaded in the prison.
- Matthew 16:14
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
- Matthew 17:13
Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist.
- Matthew 21:25
What was the source of John’s baptism? Was it from heaven or from men?” They deliberated among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will ask, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
- Matthew 21:26
But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.”
- Matthew 21:32
For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
- Mark 1:4
John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
- Mark 1:6
John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.
- Mark 1:9
In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
- Mark 1:14
After the arrest of John, Jesus went into Galilee and proclaimed the gospel of God.
- Mark 2:18
Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were often fasting. So people came to Jesus and asked, “Why don’t Your disciples fast like John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees?”
- Mark 6:14
Now King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’ name had become well known, and people were saying, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
- Mark 6:16
But when Herod heard this, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has risen from the dead!”
- Mark 6:17
For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned, on account of his brother Philip’s wife Herodias, whom Herod had married.
- Mark 6:18
For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!”
- Mark 6:20
because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man. When he heard John’s words, he was greatly perplexed; yet he listened to him gladly.
- Mark 6:24
Then she went out and asked her mother, “What should I request?” And her mother answered, “The head of John the Baptist.”
- Mark 6:25
At once the girl hurried back to the king with her request: “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.”
- Mark 8:28
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
- Mark 11:30
John’s baptism—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me!”
- Mark 11:32
But if we say, ‘From men’...” they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John truly was a prophet.
- Luke 1:13
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.
- Luke 1:60
But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.”
And 49 more
Luke 1:63, 3:2, 3:15, 3:16, 3:20, 5:33, 7:18, 7:19, 7:20, 7:22, 7:24, 7:28, 7:29, 7:33, 9:7, 9:9, 9:19, 11:1, 16:16, 20:4, 20:6
John 1:6, 1:15, 1:19, 1:26, 1:28, 1:29, 1:32, 1:35, 1:40, 3:23, 3:24, 3:25, 3:26, 3:27, 4:1, 5:33, 5:36, 10:40, 10:41
Acts 1:5, 1:22, 10:37, 11:16, 13:24, 13:25, 18:25, 19:3, 19:4
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.