John the Baptist

John the Baptist (Hebrew: יוחנן המטביל‎) is a significant figure in both Israeli history and Christianity. He was a prophet who appeared 400 years after the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, was written. He is called “John the Baptist” because he preached repentance and baptized people in the Jordan River. About 700 years before his birth, God, through the prophet Isaiah, foretold his arrival and mission. As an adult, John preached in the wilderness, wore clothes of camel hair, and ate locusts and wild honey. He fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy—he was the forerunner of the Messiah.

John the Baptist’s father was a priest named Zechariah, and his mother, Elizabeth, was also a descendant of the priest Aaron. Elizabeth was unable to have children, but Zechariah did not reject her for it. When Zechariah was serving in the Temple, the angel Gabriel appeared to him and prophesied that Elizabeth would bear a son who would become a servant greatly used by God. But because of his old age, Zechariah was afraid and didn’t believe the angel. So, Gabriel made him temporarily mute as a sign that God’s word would surely be fulfilled. Soon after, according to God’s promise, Elizabeth became pregnant and gave birth to a son whom they named John. At that moment, Zechariah’s mouth was opened, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke of God’s grace and his son’s future mission.

John the Baptist baptized people in the Jordan River and called them to repent. Many people who heard his message repented and were baptized. He boldly pointed out people’s faults, sternly confronted them with their sins, and prophesied the imminent arrival of the Messiah. “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Matthew 3:11). Later, because he publicly condemned the Jewish King Herod Antipas, he was arrested, imprisoned, and eventually executed.

Despite his unique birth and upbringing, being filled with the Spirit of God, and having a clear gifting and impact, John the Baptist’s heart’s desire was to honor the Lord and find joy in Him. He knew he was only sent to prepare the way for Christ’s coming. The purpose of his ministry was to exalt Christ, not himself. Therefore, in his preaching and ministry, John constantly lifted up Christ and directed people to Him, even telling his own disciples to follow Jesus.

Many prophets were raised up before John the Baptist, but in the eyes of the Lord Jesus, none were greater. John dedicated his short life to completing his mission as the forerunner of Christ. The Lord Jesus’ own evaluation of him was, “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11).