# Who was John the Baptist?

John was the son of the priest Zechariah and Elizabeth, born when they were old. He lived in the wilderness, called people to turn from their sins, and baptized them in the Jordan River. He baptized Jesus and pointed to him as the Lamb of God. Herod Antipas put him in prison and had him beheaded.

- When: Born about six months before Jesus. He began preaching about AD 28 to 29 and died a year or two later.
- Read: Luke 1 and 3, Matthew 3, 11 and 14, John 1 and 3. Start with [Luke 1](https://www.lumin.faith/read/luke/1).

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/john-the-baptist. Scripture quotations are from the Lumin Translation.

## John the Baptist’s life, in order

1. **A son for the old couple** ([Luke 1:5-25](https://www.lumin.faith/read/luke/1#5-25)). An angel tells Zechariah in the temple that Elizabeth will have a son. He doubts and is struck silent. Map: [Jerusalem](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jerusalem).
2. **His name is John** ([Luke 1:57-66](https://www.lumin.faith/read/luke/1#57-66)). At the boy’s naming, Zechariah writes “John is his name”, and his voice comes back. Map: [The hill country of Judah](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#hill-country-of-judah).
3. **A voice in the wilderness** ([Matthew 3:1-12](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/3#1-12)). John preaches in the wilderness of Judea, in camel’s hair, eating locusts and wild honey. Map: [The wilderness of Judea](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#wilderness-of-judea).
4. **He baptizes Jesus** ([Matthew 3:13-17](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/3#13-17)). Jesus comes to the Jordan. The Spirit comes down like a dove, and a voice says, “This is my beloved Son.” Map: [The Jordan, where John baptized](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-map#jordan-baptism).
5. **“Look, the Lamb of God”** ([John 1:29-37](https://www.lumin.faith/read/john/1#29-37)). John points his own followers to Jesus, and two of them leave him to follow Jesus.
6. **“He must increase”** ([John 3:26-30](https://www.lumin.faith/read/john/3#26-30)). When people tell John everyone is going to Jesus, he is glad.
7. **Doubt in prison** ([Matthew 11:2-11](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/11#2-11)). From prison John sends to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is coming?” Jesus points to what is happening, and praises him.
8. **Beheaded** ([Mark 6:17-29](https://www.lumin.faith/read/mark/6#17-29)). Herod Antipas, at his birthday feast, has John beheaded to keep a promise to Herodias’ daughter.

## Key verses

> The next day John saw Jesus approaching him and said, “Look! There is the Lamb of God, the one who takes away the sin of the world! ([John 1:29](https://www.lumin.faith/read/john/1#29))

> He must grow greater, but I must grow smaller. ([John 3:30](https://www.lumin.faith/read/john/3#30))

> John answered them all, “I baptize you with water, but one who is stronger than I am is coming. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ([Luke 3:16](https://www.lumin.faith/read/luke/3#16))

## What the Bible says, and what tradition adds

### Were John the Baptist and Jesus cousins?

**Readers disagree.** Luke calls Elizabeth Mary’s relative, using a word that does not say how close. “Cousin” is a common guess, from the King James Version. See [Luke 1:36](https://www.lumin.faith/read/luke/1#36).

### Where did John baptize Jesus?

**Tradition, not the Bible.** In the Jordan. John’s Gospel names “Bethany beyond the Jordan”. The site near Jericho, on both banks, has been honored since early centuries, but the exact spot is not known. See [John 1:28](https://www.lumin.faith/read/john/1#28).

### Where was John beheaded?

**Tradition, not the Bible.** The Gospels do not name the place. The Jewish historian Josephus says Herod held John at the fortress of Machaerus, east of the Dead Sea.

## Related people

- [Elijah](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/elijah): Prophet of fire on Mount Carmel. Taken up in a whirlwind.
- [Mary, the mother of Jesus](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/mary-mother-of-jesus): Said yes to God. Gave birth to Jesus. Stood at the cross.
- [Peter](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-people/peter): Fisherman, apostle, denied Jesus, led the first church.