A Study of John the Baptist
John the Baptist indeed was a prophet and the last one prior to the arrival of the Messiah, Jesus the Christ. Jesus himself said, “He (John) was more than a prophet.” (Luke 7:26b) How does one define a prophet? One dictionary says it this way: “A person who speaks by divine inspiration or as the interpreter through whom the will of God is expressed.” Just how many prophets there were prior to Christ is open to interpretation. Some lists include almost seventy individuals. Who was the first prophet? Again, there is differing answers from Adam to Enoch (great grandfather of Noah) to Abraham and Moses. The Jewish tradition says Moses was the first prophet, and the author of the Law or the Torah.
Regardless of the true number of prophets, the Old Testament lists only seventeen books called “prophets.” Again, there is a difference from the Hebrew Bible and the Canon as we know it. (See table below) The Hebrew Canon has two divisions called: The Former and Latter Prophets. The “former” prophets include Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2 Samuel, and 1 & 2 Kings. The “latter” prophet list contains fifteen books; but excludes Lamentations and Daniel which are considered prophets in the Canon.
The Bible as we know it today classifies the seventeen prophets as “major” and “minor.” The major prophets include Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Daniel. The minor prophets (also referred to as “Book of 12”) begin with Hosea through and including Malachi. Of course, not all prophets were written per se, like Elijah and Elisha. Their work as God’s spokesmen is no less important just because they do not have a book bearing their name. As we will see, the prophet Malachi says, “See I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me.” (Malachi 3:1) And again in Malachi 4:5, “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes.” The LORD himself confirms that John the Baptist is the Elijah that was named in Malachi’s book. (See Matthew 11:15)
John the Baptist
Luke’s gospel tells of the birth of John to his aged parents. We are told that Zechariah, a priest in the Aaronic line, and his wife, Elizabeth, also a descendant of Aaron were John’s parents. Both were upright in God’s sight, but they were childless and up in years beyond the childbearing age. During a time when Zechariah was on duty in the Temple, Gabriel, an angel of the LORD, appeared to Zechariah. The priest was gripped with fear, says Matthew 1:12. “Do not be afraid,” said Gabriel. “Your prayers have been heard and you will bear a son and are to give him the name of John.” (Verse 13) Gabriel told Zechariah that he will be a joy and delight – but has restrictions – such as no wine. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit from birth. “And he will go on before the LORD in the spirit and power of Elijah.” Of course, we see that Zechariah was a “doubting Thomas” of sorts. As such, Gabriel closed his mouth rendering him speechless until John’s birth. He returned home to his wife who became pregnant and remained in seclusion for months. Elizabeth remarked, “The LORD has done this for me.” (Verse 25)
John’s conception and birth were definitely miraculous. God opened her womb to conceive from the union of a man and woman. But God’s Son’s birth was more miraculous as God Himself caused the conception of the Messiah in Mary’s womb – without a man’s seed! Each boy was born “filled with the Spirit,” and each was a prophet but, by John’s own admission, Jesus was the greater and he the lesser. (John 3:30)
After the angel appeared to Mary telling her that she would give birth to the Messiah, she went to visit her relative, Elizabeth, for three months. Like with Zechariah, the angel said to Mary, “Do not be afraid.” And also, like Zechariah’s announcement, the name of Mary’s baby was dictated to be Jesus. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The LORD God will give Him the throne of his father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; His kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:32-33) But unlike the doubting Zechariah, Mary replied, “I am the LORD’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.” Can you imagine the talk amongst the town’s people? This young female was engaged to Joseph and now is pregnant!
Mary was off to see her relative. As she arrived, Luke tells us that John leapt in Elizabeth’s womb and she said to Mary, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear.” (Luke 1:42) Luke also records Mary’s Song – which is similar to Hannah’s in 1 Samuel. While young in years, her wisdom is beyond human years when you read her faith statement in this passage. (Lue 1:46-55)
Mary returned home after three month’s stay at Zechariah and Elizabeth’s house. It was now time for John’s birth. At his circumcision on the eighth day, everyone was expecting that his name would be Zechariah after his father, but Elizabeth spoke up and said, “No, John.” And immediately, Zechariah’s mouth was opened by God and his tongue loosed. Now Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, sang out to God who had given them the joy of their life and the forerunner of the Messiah. At the conclusion of Zechariah’s Song, he said, “(He) will guide our feet into the path of peace.” Following his boyhood, Luke tells us that he lived in the desert until it was time for him to appear publicly in Israel. John’s existence in the desert was elementary as his clothes were made of camel’s hair with a leather belt, and his diet was what he found in nature – locusts and honey.
John’s Ministry as the Forerunner
Luke’s gospel tells us that John began his ministry as the forerunner of the Messiah in the 15th year of Caesar Tiberius. Tiberius reigned from 14-37 AD. Thus, John’s ministry began ~ 29 AD. Other leaders under Tiberius were Pontus Pilate, the governor, and Herod the Tetrarch (Antipas). Both Annas (Ananias) and Caiaphas were high priests. Annas was the father-in-law of Caiaphas. Interestingly, Annas (or Ananias) was deposed in 14 AD but continued to be an influence with his son-in-law, Caiaphas, as the named high priest (18 – 36 AD) perhaps even titular in nature. Luke 3 tells us, “The word of God came to John.” (Luke 3:2) Now 29 AD and John six months older than his relative, Jesus, John begins his tour of duty as God’s prophet and forerunner of the Messiah. “He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins. Luke quotes the prophet Isaiah 40:3-5, “A voice of one calling in the desert, prepare the way . . . make straight.” I have called it “clearing the path.” John’s mission was to remove the obstacles in the road of life to have people return to God. Isaiah prophesied, “The crooked roads shall be straight . . . And all humankind will see God’s salvation.”
It does not take John (the Apostle) long to connect the dots from John the Baptist to Jesus, the Messiah. The first fourteen verses related to the incarnation of the Christ – as the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. John acknowledges his humility here in placing Christ above him in all aspects. John was immediately popular with crowds coming to hear him and be baptized. They asked who he was. “Are you Elijah?” “Are you the Prophet?” “No,” he said, I am the voice from the desert to prepare the way for Him. The gospel writer immediately moves to the LORD’s baptism. Theologians believe that His baptism was immediately followed by his 40-day temptation by the Evil One. In verse thirty-two, John the Baptist’s statement is extremely important. Why? Because he witnessed the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus in the form of a dove. “I have seen, and I testify that this IS (emphasis added) the Son of God.” (John 1:34)
John 3 tells us that John was baptizing at Aenon near Salim. Aenon was a spring providing water in an arid environment. This was prior to John’s imprisonment from Herod Antipas. Again, John testifies to the fullness of Christ. He says, “The Father loves the Son, and has placed everything in His hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.” (John 3:35). I have a note in my study Bible from a sermon many years ago. The note reads: “Gamble on God: What have you got to lose?” The pastor’s sermon was based on this text from John 3 related to John the Baptist’s remark about life in Christ versus no life without him.
John’s ministry was short lived as Herod Antipas placed John in prison due to his wife’s (Herodias) hatred of John who had been outspoken of Antipas taking his brother’s wife. Mark’s gospel gives us a sneak peek at Antipas and his guilt regarding John. Mark 6:20 says, “Herod feared John, he was greatly puzzled, yet he liked to listen to him.” But Herod made a grave mistake by promising anything to Herodias’ daughter. Now John’s life ended – much to the great distress of Herod. (Verse 29) Herod was terrified when he heard of Jesus’ success that he thought John the Baptist had been raised from the dead.
While short in length, John’s time as the forerunner of the Christ was successful. Many came to hear him and to be baptized. The momentum that was generated from his ministry, carried forward to Jesus’ popularity. Jesus speaks to John’s greatness in Luke 7:28: “I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John. . .” Indeed, the path was cleared for Jesus by this great prophet. And now His walk would end on Calvary with His mission culminating on the cross for your sins and mine. To God be the glory.
Peace
Connected in Him, I stand
GHR
