Our information about John the Baptist comes entirely from the New Testament, apart from one reference by the Jewish historian, Josephus. John came from a priestly family. His father Zechariah was a Temple priest, and his mother Elizabeth was also of priestly descent and a relative of Jesus’ mother Mary, making him Jesus cousin.

All 4 Gospels regard John’s ministry as the beginning of the good news. John fulfilled the prophecies given of the return of a great prophet, with the spirit of Elijah, preparing the way for the coming Messiah.

His simple clothes and diet indicated his rejection of the corrupt society of his day in favour of a strict adherence to the laws of Moses. In particular John calls on all Jews to become the people of God by avoiding the easy compromises with Gentile standards, and by living lives worthy of God’s people. John preached repentance from sin and earnestness in following God, providing baptism for those who heeded his words.

Jesus came to his cousin John to be baptised at the beginning of his ministry, showing us by example, the way for us to follow. John stated that Jesus should be the one baptising him (Matthew 3:14), and pointed out Jesus to 2 of his followers sending them to follow Jesus, they became Jesus first 2 disciples. He knew Jesus following must increase and his decrease.

Given his popularity as a zealous reformer and his outspoken attacks on the lifestyle of Herod Antipas, it is not surprising that John was eventually imprisoned and executed. But by the time that happened, John had already fulfilled his mission. But groups of his followers existed for many years after John’s death. Paul came across one such group in Ephesus (Acts 19:3).

The church remembers John on his birthday, which is placed six months before that of Jesus, in line with the account in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 1:36).