John the Baptist

John the Baptist was the son of Zacharias and Elisabeth who preached repentance in the wilderness of Judea and baptized in the Jordan. He prepared the way for Jesus, baptized him, and was beheaded by Herod.

Foretold and born

• Isaiah 40:3
  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.A voice of one calling: “Prepare the way for the LORD in the wilderness; make a straight highway for our God in the desert.
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• Malachi 3:1
  Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.“Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.
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• Luke 1:13-17
  ¹³But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.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. ¹⁴And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth, ¹⁵For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb. ¹⁶And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God. ¹⁷And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
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• Luke 1:57-64
  ⁵⁷Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son. ⁵⁸And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her. ⁵⁹And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were going to name him after his father Zechariah. ⁶⁰And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.” ⁶¹And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.” ⁶²And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child. ⁶³And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed. ⁶⁴And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.
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Preaching in the wilderness

• Matthew 3:1-6
  ¹In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea,In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea ²And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” ³For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” ⁴And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan,People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan. ⁶And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
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• Mark 1:4-8
  ⁴John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. ⁵And there went out unto him all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.People went out to him from all of Jerusalem and the countryside of Judea. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. ⁶And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. ⁷And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.And he began to proclaim: “After me will come One more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. ⁸I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
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• Luke 3:7-14
  ⁷Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?Then John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? ⁸Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. ⁹And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” ¹⁰And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?The crowds asked him, “What then should we do?” ¹¹He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.” ¹²Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” ¹³And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.“Collect no more than you are authorized,” he answered. ¹⁴And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” “Do not take money by force or false accusation,” he said. “Be content with your wages.”
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• John 1:19-23
  ¹⁹And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” ²⁰And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.He did not refuse to confess, but openly declared, “I am not the Christ.” ²¹And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.“Then who are you?” they inquired. “Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” ²²Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?So they said to him, “Who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” ²³He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet: “I am a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”
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Baptizing Jesus

• Matthew 3:13-17
  ¹³Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. ¹⁴But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” ¹⁵And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.“Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him. ¹⁶And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. ¹⁷And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”
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• John 1:29-34
  ²⁹The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.This is He of whom I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because He was before me.’ ³¹And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.I myself did not know Him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that He might be revealed to Israel.” ³²And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.Then John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove and resting on Him. ³³And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.I myself did not know Him, but the One who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ ³⁴And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
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• John 3:28-30
  ²⁸Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but am sent ahead of Him.’ ²⁹He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom stands and listens for him, and is overjoyed to hear the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. ³⁰He must increase, but I must decrease.He must increase; I must decrease.
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Imprisonment and death

• Matthew 11:2-6
  ²Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,Meanwhile John heard in prison about the works of Christ, and he sent his disciples ³And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?to ask Him, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?” ⁴Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: ⁵The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. ⁶And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.Blessed is the one who does not fall away on account of Me.”
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• Matthew 14:3-12
  ³For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, ⁴For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” ⁵And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet. ⁶But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.On Herod’s birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod ⁷Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.so much that he promised with an oath to give to her whatever she asked. ⁸And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” ⁹And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted ¹⁰And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.and sent to have John beheaded in the prison. ¹¹And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.John’s head was brought in on a platter and presented to the girl, who carried it to her mother. ¹²And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.Then John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. And they went and informed Jesus.
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Jesus speaks of John

• Matthew 11:7-11
  ⁷And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?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? ⁸But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear fine clothing are found in kings’ palaces. ⁹But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way before You.’ ¹¹Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.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.
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• Matthew 17:11-13
  ¹¹And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.Jesus replied, “Elijah does indeed come, and he will restore all things. ¹²But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.” ¹³Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist.
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See also

• Baptism
• Repentance
• Elijah
• Messianic prophecy

Notes

1. Verses are quoted in the translation chosen in the Translation menu at the top of the page. See Translations for sources and copyright notices.
2. Each reference links to the full chapter so the verse can be read in context.