John the Baptist
by Hinde LiepmannsohnJohn the Baptist is considered to be a prophet in Christianity, Islam, and Mandaenism, a monotheistic religion primarily prominent in southern Iraq and a small region of Khuzestan. Yet information on John the Baptist differs from one religion to another. Christians consider him to be a forerunner to Jesus and Isaiah 40:3-5 is commonly read by Christians as a prophecy to his arrival. Luke 1:36 state that John was related to Jesus through their mothers, Elizabeth and Mary but Mandeans dispute the blood ties between Jesus and John. To Mandeans, John the Baptist was the Messiah.
New Testament on Saint John the Baptist
His Birth and Childhood
The Gospel of Luke is the most complete narrative of his life. According to this Gospel, John was born in the same year as Jesus in the village of Kirin, which is now a suburb of Jerusalem. His father was Zechariah, a priest, and his mother was Elizabeth. The angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah in the temple of Jerusalem and announced his birth to him.
The Gospel of Luke also provides an account of Mary undertaking the arduous journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth who herself was pregnant through God’s grace. As Elizabeth welcomed her cousin, the baby John leapt for joy in her womb and she called out, “Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.” Ceramic plaques in 42 languages bear witness to Mary’s reply, “My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Three months later St John the Baptist was born. According to the Gospel of Luke, the birth of John occurred six months before that of Jesus. It is also explained that his father was in such disbelief over his birth that he lost his speech, which came back when John was circumcised.
Both Luke and the Synoptic Gospels state that Saint John the Baptist grew up in the mountains of Judea, living in wilderness. The Synoptic Gospels further explain that he lived very simply, dressed in a leather girdle and camel’s hair.
His Preaching Years
It was around the year 27 A.D. that St John the Baptist began to preach at the River Jordan some 25 miles south of Jerusalem. The Synoptic Gospels first mention John at age 30, in his preaching years. He began his ministry by urging his fellow Jews to be baptized and repent. He then baptized them in the river of Jordan. Many people used to visit him in this region. In addition, John spoke to tax collectors and officers to stop them from extorting people.
Jesus himself came to be baptized by John who had always spoke of the one who would be coming saying, “I baptize you with the water unto repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear, he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.” The Synoptic Gospels agree with the claim that John had many followers and that he baptized Jesus.
The Gospel of John also states that Jesus baptized more followers than Saint John the Baptist. When questioned by his disciples, John apparently stated that he must become less while Jesus must become greater.
The Death of John the Baptist
In The Gospel narratives, it is described that John was jailed by Herod Antipas after condemning the marriage between Herod and his brother’s former wife. While the narratives implied that Herod had respect for the John’s preaching, his wife wished for his death. His wife convinced her daughter to trick Herod by dancing so beautifully in front of him and his court that he would grant her anything she wished for. When he did, she requested for John’s head to be brought to her on a silver platter.
The Christians believe that when Saint John the Baptist was arrested, Jesus moved to Nazareth and to the north of Israel. His message was stronger than that of John. “Repent,” he said, “for the Kingdom of God has arrived.” The Gospels tell of John’s disciples burying his head in a tomb, yet the exact location of John’s burial is not in the Gospels.
In the Gospel of John, it is said that the followers of St John the Baptist eventually joined Jesus disciples while the Synoptic Gospels state that the groups remained separated.
Saint John the Baptist Celebrations
John is celebrated as Saint John the Baptist in French Canada where two towns were named in this honor (St John’s, Newfoundland and Saint John, New Brunswisk) in the 15th and 17th century, respectively. June 24th is celebrated in Quebec as a national holiday in honor of John’s feast day. Penzance, a parish town in the UK in the district of Cornwall, chose to honor him by making his severed head the symbol of a lost chapel that used to stand in its town.
John the Baptist in Other Religions & Theories
The Eastern Orthodox Church, Koran and Mandeism, all offer different views on the life of John the Baptist, his accomplishments and status. In addition, Josephus also provided a variation on the life of this biblical figure.
John the Baptist and the Easter Orthodox Church
Believed to be the last prophet of the Old Testament before Jesus and the period of revelation, John the Baptist is remembered as Saint John the Forerunner on six feast days: his conception, birth, beheading and the three findings of his head, all taking place between September (beginning of the church year) and August. His parents are also remembered on the day of his conception.
John the Baptist in the Koran
In the Koran, the story of the birth of Jesus is preceded with the birth of John, referred to as Yahya. His aging father Zechariah, asked the lord to give him a son that would both inherit him and the knowledge of God. John is described in the Qur’an as a serious and giving child who would give his own food to animals.
It is stated that Allah passed on to him all the faculty of advising people of their affairs, guiding them and warning them against taking the wrong path. John’s death in the Qur’an takes place in the same manner as in the Gospels: he is beheaded after Herod grants a wish to his wife’s daughter.
In Mandaeanism
In Mandaenism, John the Baptist is also called Yahya, and is considered as the last and greatest prophet, the one and only true Messiah. Mandeans reject Jesus existence altogether. The Ginza Rabba, a text that speaks of his death, states that John died by touching the hand of an angel who came to him for baptism in the form of a three year old child. John the Baptist knowingly accepted to perform the baptism, regardless of his fate if he touched him.
Josephus on John the Baptist
Josephus, a Jewish historian, stated that John was killed by Herod in order to prevent an uprising in 36 AD. In addition, Josephus did not speak of a relationship between Jesus and St John the Baptist.
