Top 10 Facts about John The Baptist

Ioannis Prodromos aka John the Baptist. Photo by: Euphrosynos- Wikimedia.

Top 10 Facts about John The Baptist

Zechariah and Elizabeth believed they were too old to bear children. But everything changed when an angel of the Lord showed up and predicted about a son who would be filled with the Holy Spirit even before his birth.

Their son, John the Baptist, was filled with the Holy Spirit and grew up to be a powerful mouthpiece for God, calling people to repentance and preparing hearts for the arrival of Jesus, their Messiah.

Here are a few facts about John the Baptist that you may not have known:

1. Christians regard John the Baptist as a great prophet… and so do others

In Christian families, John the Baptist is a well-known name. He heralded the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah. While living in the wilderness, he subsisted on locusts and honey. He baptized Jesus as well.

Christians continue to admire John the Baptist for his enthusiastic and intriguing lifestyle, but they aren’t the only ones.

Muslims admire John, also known as Yahya in Arabic. He is one of the Quran’s twenty-five prophets, and it is said that anyone who condemns John also condemns Islam.

While the Quran and the Bible both mention John’s extraordinary birth and honorable lifestyle, only the Bible reveals his higher purpose: 

“And he will go ahead of the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to prepare a people for the Lord” (Luke 1:17).

As Christ’s forerunner and spokesman, John the Baptist stands out, which leads to the next fascinating fact.

2. No one, according to Jesus, was greater than John the Baptist

Saint John the Baptist Bearing Witness MET. Photo by: Annibale Carracci- Wikimedia.

According to Matthew 11:11, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, among those born of women, no one has soared greater than John the Baptist.”

This appears to be an odd statement, especially given that Jesus was a man. Some scholars believe Jesus was complimenting John the Baptist in order to honor him.

Others believe Jesus was referring to John’s privileged position and assignment in history, or to the fact that John was chosen to preach with Elijah’s power (Luke 1:17).

3. A Nazirite vow was taken by John the Baptist

Saint John the Baptist in Spanish, Seville; Statue; Sculpture. Photo by: Juan Martínez Montañés- Wikimedia.

If you refused to cut your hair and ate locusts in the wilderness today, you might be considered insane. He was known as a Nazirite in John the Baptist’s day.

A Nazarite was someone who abstained from several activities in order to live in harmony with God in righteousness. Nazirites avoided cutting their hair, drinking alcohol, and touching dead bodies, and they would occasionally isolate themselves from other people to avoid interruptions.

The root word for Nazirite, Nazir, means holy or set apart, and the actions of a Nazirite did indeed set them apart from the rest of the world.

Most Jews took a Nazirite pledge for a set period of time—usually between 30 and 100 days—but at least three Nazirites in the Bible were devoted from birth: Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist.

Even though some may have thought him insane, John the Baptist sacrificed his life for Jesus and continues to be an excellent role model.

4. John was related to Jesus through his mother

It is thought that John was born about six months before Jesus. It is widely assumed that John was Jesus’ second cousin on the mother’s side.

5. John’s church took place in the wilderness

Johnthe Baptist John “in the desert” Monetary. Even Sapir (near Jerusalem), Israel- Wikimedia.

The nature reserve was very important to the people of the Second Temple period, who used it for a variety of purposes. It was a safe haven, a place where people could go to meet God, or the setting for events in which God intervened in the history of his people, like the Exodus.

The bushland, on the other hand, was affiliated with sin exculpation, such as the ritual of sending a scapegoat bearing the nation’s sins to the desert demon, Azazel.

6. John the Baptist is mentioned in the Quran

In Islam, John is also regarded as a Prophet. Muslims believe that John was a witness to God’s word and a messenger who informed the people about the coming of Jesus. Zechariah, his father, is also regarded as an Islamic Prophet.

According to Islamic tradition, John was among the Prophets whom Muhammad encountered during his awakening through the seven heavens on the night of the Mi’raj. Both John the Baptist and Jesus are said to have been in the second heaven.

7. There was one significant difference in John’s baptism

John’s baptismal rite compelled people to change their hearts, reject sin, and return to God. In other words, he pleaded with them to seek forgiveness. This required them to express genuine sorrow for their sins, vow to treat their neighbors fairly, and demonstrate holiness toward God.

Only after that were they permitted to submit to baptism. John stressed that his water rite, which primarily functioned as a penitential ritual, was acknowledged by God because the penitent’s heart was truly changed. As a result, God would pardon their sins.

8. John was apprehended and executed

Scenes from the Life of Saint John the Baptist MET. Photo by: Francesco Granacci- Wikimedia.

For a variety of reasons, Herod Antipas detained, incarcerated, and executed John. John, who had spoken out against inhumanity, singled out Herod Antipas, who had divorced his wife to marry Herodias.

Herod’s first wife was the daughter of Nabataean King Aretas IV, and their marriage sealed a negotiated settlement. With the agreement broken, Aretas launched the war that his daughter’s marriage was supposed to prevent.

The turbulent period between Herod’s divorce and the subsequent war was heightened by John’s preaching of judgment and the expulsion of unremorseful sinners, including Herod as an impure Torah breaker. Furthermore, John drew large crowds, which could be a source of trouble.

It was critical for Herod to cope with him in the same way that he had dealt with the other desert preachers. What made John even more dangerous was his proclamation of a Coming One, who could be perceived as a prominent politician and thus a clear threat to Herod’s leadership.

9. He didn’t let anything stand in his way of following Christ

John carried on with his mission. He lived in the desert, took Nazarite vows, and lived each day with an intent. His clothing and diet were simple; he wasn’t burdened by the world’s needs and wants.

Though his life may appear intense, and many of us may be able to relate to a diet of locusts and honey, the heart of the matter is this: He chose discipline to God’s call. He agreed to God’s mission.

Even if it was probably not easy. Even when he had the option of going his own way. He didn’t let his own desires or even other people get in the way of what he was doing.

10. Jesus and John collaborated on their holy mission

Consequentially, unlike the majority of John’s audience, Jesus did not return to his home and continue his life in purity. Rather, he joined John’s ministry, where he preached and baptized others.

With the epiphany of the Coming One approaching, Jesus recognized the call to action.

Ultimately, the two men launched a coordinated campaign to save as many people as possible. While John worked in Judaea, Jesus took his mission to Galilee.