Jesus declared John the Baptist to be the greatest “among those born of women” (Matthew 11:11a) (Heretofore referred to as John). That is a powerful statement and deserves an in-depth study. This message is about his lineage and life, and what we can learn from him. He is a pivotal figure in the New Testament, known for his role as the forerunner to Jesus' ministry and for his ascetic lifestyle in the wilderness.
John was called “the Baptist” because he baptized people by immersion. The word “baptism” (Gk: ‘baptizo’) was a new term in the New Testament writings. It is a verb that can refer to both ritual purification distinct from ethical or moral concerns and to the symbolic forgiveness of sins though ritual cleansing with water that symbolically generated moral or spiritual cleanliness, leading to repentance and forgiveness of sins (Luke 11:38; Matthew 15:2). The terms “clean” and “unclean” are used in the Bible to refer to individuals with spiritual or moral “defects” in addition to ritual ones.
John was the biological son of Zechariah, who was a priest in the lineage of Abijah, and Elizabeth, who was also of priestly descent (daughters of Aaron – the first high priest). The Angel Gabriel foretold his birth to Zechariah. They lived in Judea, about a day’s journey (70 miles) from Joseph, who was a descendant of King David, and Mary, who was of priestly descent (House of David) and associated with the tribe of Levi, in Nazareth. Mary was a cousin of Elizabeth and the mother of Jesus. In addition to being relatives, Mary and Elizabeth had a unique and close relationship because both of them had miraculous pregnancies (Luke 1:13-17; 39-56). John and Jesus would have spent time together as they grew up.
The greatness of John lies in his unique position in history, not in any special talent, holiness, or personal merit. In fact, immediately after making the statement about His cousin John, Jesus said paradoxically, “Yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matthew 11:11b).
MIRACULOUS BIRTH
John was born to elderly parents who had never been able to have children (Luke 1:7). The Angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah that he would have a son, which would have been quite a shock to Zechariah (vs 8–18). Gabriel said this about John: “He will be great in the sight of the Lord. He... will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, . . . to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (verses 15–17). Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, soon gave birth to John. At the circumcision ceremony, Zechariah said about his son, “You, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him” (verse 76).
When the Angel Gabriel told Mary that she would give birth to Jesus, he also told her about John. When Mary was carrying Jesus in her womb, she visited Elizabeth, and John leapt in her womb for joy at the sound of Mary’s voice (Luke 1:39-45).
John was born about six months before the birth of Jesus in a city of the hill country of Judah. The only information concerning his youth is summed up in this prophecy,
"Many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb." (Luke 1:14-16)
As an adult, John lived a rugged life in the mountains around Judea, between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. He wore clothes made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, the typical dress of a prophet. His diet was a simple one - locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4). John lived a simple life as he focused on the Kingdom work set before him. Luke made a brief statement about his youth,
"And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel" (Luke 1:80)
The various incidents recorded about John’s parents offer spiritual insights into his character and nature, and into his training as a fitting preparation for his calling and mission.
THE ESSENES
Some believe that John was part of the Essenes, who were a Jewish mystical sect somewhat resembling the Pharisees, who lived lives of ritual purity and separation. When the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, it was hypothesized that the Essenes recorded and stored them. They originated about 100 BC, and disappeared from history after the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. They are not mentioned in the Bible, although some believe they may be referred to. (See Matthew 19:11-12; Colossians 2:8,18,23)
The claim that John was an Essene is based on some similarities between him and the Essenes:
1. John was in the desert (Luke 1:80). The Essenes were in the desert.
2. Both John and the Essenes used Isaiah 40:3 to describe themselves as the voice in the wilderness.
3. The baptism practiced by John and the Essenes required a change of heart.
However, there are significant differences between John and the Essenes:
1. The Essenes hid themselves away from society in the wilderness. John was a very public figure.
2. John had a much stricter diet than the Essenes (Luke 7:33).
3. John preached Jesus as the Messiah. The Essenes did not recognize Jesus as Messiah, and taught that the Teacher of Righteousness would be an Essene.
4. The Essenes were highly organized, but John and his disciples were not.
Currently, the Essenes of the Bible do not exist. However, there are fringe groups that call themselves Essenes, such as the Essene Church of Christ, which declares itself “the authorized custodians and chief disseminators of the true teachings of Lord Christ and Lady Christ.” They believe that they alone possess truth; deny the Trinity; and all biblical doctrines, including original sin, heaven, hell, and salvation through Jesus.
It must be noted that John may have had some contact with the Qumran community and the Essenes, but his gospel clearly shows that he had nothing to do with them.
THE MINISTRY OF JOHN
Descriptions of John set him in the tradition of the Prophet Elijah. He appeared as an ascetic in the Judaean wilderness near the Jordan River wearing camel-hair clothing and a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild honey (Mark 1:6; 2 Kings 1:8). Similar to both John and Jesus, Elijah also had a disciple “calling” (1 Kings 19:19–21). Before Elijah ascended into Heaven, in response to Elisha’s plea to remain with him, “Elijah said to him, 'Stay here; for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan” (2 Kings 2:6).
John’s simple lifestyle underscored his message of repentance and his role as a prophet. His call to repentance was accompanied by baptism, symbolizing the cleansing of sins and preparation for the coming Messiah.
He began his ministry partly in the wilderness of Southern Judea and in the Jordan valley. Two locations are mentioned, Bethany or Bethabara (John 1:28), and Aenon near Salim (John 3:23). Neither of these places can be positively identified. His first public appearance is assigned to the 15th year of Tiberius, probably AD 26 or 27, for the first Passover attended by Jesus could not be any later than AD 27 (John 2:20). John preached a message of repentance and the imminent arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven.
"In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.'" (Matthew 3:1-2)
Frequent references are made in the Bible to the disciples of John. As the multitudes crowded to his baptism, it was natural that he should gather about him an inner circle of men who would receive special instruction in the meaning of his work to aid him in baptizing multitudes of people. He prepared a sure foundation of prayer, fasting, and training about the coming Messiah and His future work, and it was from this inner group that the disciples of Jesus were primarily drawn from (Matthew 9:14; Luke 11:1; John 1:29-44; Acts 18:24-19:7). Paul had asked the disciples of John about the baptism they received and they told him,
“John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” (Acts 19:2–4)
John understood that is primary role was as a Prophet preparing the way for the approaching Messianic age. He regarded his work as divinely appointed (John 1:33), but was well aware of his subordinate relation to the soon coming Messiah (Mark 1:7) and that his mission was temporary (John 3:30).
He warned the nation that the true character of the coming kingdom would be under a reign of righteousness, and by calling all people to repentance and baptism, he indirectly prepared hearts for the call and teaching of Jesus.
BAPTISM OF JESUS
One of the most significant events in John's ministry was the baptism of his cousin Jesus. He initially showed reluctance to baptize Him, perhaps because he knew Him so intimately. Think about growing up with the sinless Jesus, who, most likely, when asked to help with chores, help his siblings, clean his room, take out the trash, etc., would have said “sure, no problem!” or “I already did it, etc.” Can you imagine a child who never talked back or threw a tantrum because He didn’t get his way? So, it is easy to understand the initial reluctance, and then he baptized Jesus in the Jordan River, marking the beginning of Jesus' public ministry.
"At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, 'I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?' Jesus replied, 'Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.' Then John consented. 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. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'" (Matthew 3:13-17)
Jesus was baptized to identify who He was, to be in solidarity with the people, in the formal consecration of His life to the work of the Kingdom as the promised Messiah. It was not a fulfillment of righteousness because Jesus was sinless and not of the bloodline of Joseph and Mary, so He had no need to repent of anything or change His life in any way.
While John was in Prison, he sent a message to Jesus that seemed out of character. This need not indicate that he had lost faith in the Messiahship of Jesus, but rather a perplexity at the course of events. The inquiry may have been in his disciples' interest or in his own relief from misgivings about Jesus' delay in assuming the expected Messianic authority. John evidently held the prophetic view of a temporal Messianic kingdom, and some readjustment of view was necessary.
THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS
The four Gospels frame their narratives around John with creative typology.
MATTHEW THE APOSTLE
The first reference to John is after the genealogy and the birth story of Jesus. Matthew provided explanatory statements about the relationship between John and Jesus, characterizing him as Elijah and a forerunner to Jesus. John’s call to baptism demanded that the people either repent or face the “coming judgment” (Matthew 3:1). He also linked John with Jesus’ emphasis on righteousness and fulfillment,
“Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:14-15).
Matthew intertwines John’s message of righteousness and acts of fulfillment with Jesus, and that they shared in the preaching of the message. Both preached repentance and declared the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to the Jordan to observe John’s ministry but had no desire to step into the water themselves to be a “brood of vipers,” “Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance’ (Matthew 3:2,7-8; 4:17; 12:34; 23:33).
Matthew records that John attempted to prevent Jesus from being baptized by him. However, Jesus explained that He was permitting a momentary exception - that He is still his superior, so that they might “fulfill all righteousness” and that Jesus fulfilled the Law and Prophets and is the teacher of higher righteousness (Matthew 5:17,20).
Matthew said Jesus questioned the people concerning their intention for going out to see John:
“What did you go out into the wilderness to look at?” (Matthew 11:7)
Jesus was affirming that John provided something not available anywhere else in Israel. Later in this Gospel, John is arrested and is not certain of Jesus’ identity as the promised Messiah. While in prison, John sent his disciples to Jesus to ask,
“Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.” (Matthew 11:3-5)
Matthew associated John with righteousness. Jesus, while debating with the chief priests and elders in Jerusalem, said that John came in the “way of righteousness,” to which the tax collectors and prostitutes responded in belief (Matthew 21:32).
MARK THE APOSTLE
Mark characterized John as a modern Elijah, a role he uses to place the arrival of Jesus as Messiah at the final stage of Israel’s salvation history (Mark 1:1). Mark’s mention of John’s clothes deserves attention. Physical descriptions are uncommon in the Gospels unless they reveal a character’s function in the story. John is described as wearing camel hair, with a leather belt around his waist (Mark 1:6). This description is very similar to that of the prophet Elijah (2 Kings 1:8) and paints a picture of John as a forerunner who functions as the final stage before the climax of Israel’s salvation history.
Mark revealed his understanding of the kind of forerunner John is through John’s geographical setting, proclamation, and physical description. He begins with quotations from Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3, followed by the statement:
“And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” (Mark 1:4)
Mark described John as one who proclaimed the coming of Jesus and roots what John declared in the Old Testament, when John stated his baptism is one of water, however, the one who will follow him (i.e., Jesus) will baptize with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8). Mark wrote that “baptism” was “of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He added that Jesus not only baptizes in the Holy Spirit, but after He is baptized by John the Holy Spirit descended upon Him, declaring Him to be God’s beloved Son—empowering His ministry (Mark 1:10–12) and that the presence of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus was reminiscent of the “shoot from the stump of Jesse” upon whom the spirit of Yahweh would rest (Isaiah 42:1, 61:1).
John was arrested early in Mark’s account suggesting the movement had a political dimension as well (Mark 1:14). Herod was concerned with the identity of Jesus and said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised” (Mark 6:14). Mark gives the narrative of John’s beheading coming after this statement which was caused by his critique of Herod and unlawful relationship with Herodias, which paralleled Elijah’s critic of Ahab and Jezebel. The women in both accounts respond by conspiring to kill the prophet. Mark notes that everyone regarded John as a prophet (Mark 11:32).
LUKE THE PHYSICIAN
Luke emphasized that John and Jesus were relatives, creating a biological link between Jesus and the Temple. He presents Jesus and John in parallel, from birth stories to early life to their respective ministries. (More on this later). The parallel climaxes with the parable about the children in the marketplace, reflecting the reception of Jesus and John.
Luke situates the birth story of John in continuity with the type of barrenness leading to divine blessing. This is followed by poetic praise comparing the matriarchal narratives of Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Hannah, and Michal. This literary feature situates Elizabeth and her son in the historic stream of God’s favor and redemptive plan.
Luke establishes a link between Jesus and the Temple by characterizing John and connecting him with Isaiah’s cry (Luke 3:4–6). Luke explained that after John’s father was given an appointment in the Temple, he was visited by the Angel of the Lord, who told him that he would have a son (Luke 1:5, 8–13). Luke also mentions that John’s mother (Luke 1:5) and Elizabeth are Mary’s (i.e., Jesus’ mother) relatives (Luke 1:36). Like Jesus, John is linked to the Temple through a direct biological connection.
JOHN THE APOSTLE
In the beginning of John the Apostle’s gospel, he introduces a person called the “Word” (John 1:1) and lists his characteristics. John’s immediately referenced at the beginning of the Gospel of John in highly symbolic language (John 1:6–8). Jesus and John’s ministries are shown as running in the same area. Before John’s imprisonment, he and Jesus baptized their followers in the same place (John 3:22–24).
John the Apostle characterizes John as the embodiment of the Gospel, bridging the book's beginning with its entire message. In John the Apostle’s Gospel, John did not focus on the confession of sins, as in the other Gospels, but instead on confessing Jesus (the Word). He is the bridge connecting the theological significance assigned to Jesus in the beginning as the main character in the body of the Gospel (John 1:19–37).
John the Apostle tells us that priests and Levites were sent from Jerusalem to investigate and interrogate John about his baptism (John 1:19–22). John confirmed what was said about him at the beginning and stated that he was not the Messiah, but the one who prepares the way for the Messiah (John 1:20, 23). John declared that Jesus was superior to him, that His baptism was by the Holy Spirit, and that He is the Son and Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:27, 29,30,33–34).
John the Apostle records an event when some of John ’s disciples were concerned over the large number of people going to Jesus, the one whom he testified about, for baptism (John 3:26). John the Apostle used the confusion of those disciples to give a final, clarifying explanation of the correlation between Jesus and John, who stated that, as a friend of a bridegroom is filled with joy when he sees his friend get his bride, so he was filled with joy to see Jesus disciples (John 3:29). John also explained once again that he was not the Messiah but the one sent ahead of him and stated that Jesus must increase. At the same time, he must decrease (John 3:27-30).
POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS
John’s baptism proclaimed that He came “for the forgiveness of sins,” offering something not available elsewhere. Ritual purification was not geographically conditioned and could happen anywhere. However, the forgiveness of sins was tied to the Jerusalem Temple by the religious establishment, which caused several confrontations between John’s disciples because he was a threat to them and the governmental authorities and was a descendant of a priestly family, as well as multitudes of people went for his baptisms in the wilderness rather than in the Temple (Matthew 11:12–13; Luke 16:16).
The historian Josephus wrote, “Herod, who feared lest the great influence John had over the people might put it into his power and inclination to raise a rebellion (for they seemed ready to do anything he should advise), thought it best, by putting him to death, to prevent any mischief he might cause.” (Antiquities 18.5.2)
JOHN’S LEGACY
John is revered in Christianity and recognized as the Prophet who prepared the way for Jesus. His life exemplifies humility, sacrifice, and a profound dedication to his mission.
Although his name implies that he baptized people (which he did), John’s life on Earth was more than just baptizing. John’s adult life was characterized by devotion and surrender to the promises of the Messiah, Jesus, and His kingdom. His voice was a "lone voice in the wilderness" (John 1:23) as he proclaimed the coming of the Messiah to a people who desperately needed a Savior.
John was the precursor of the modern-day evangelist, unashamedly sharing the great news of Jesus. He was a man filled with trusting-faith and a role model to those of us who wish to share our faith with others.
Almost everyone, believer and non-believer alike, has heard of John. He is one of the most significant and well-known figures in the Bible.
John was the first Prophet called by God since Malachi 400 years earlier. John’s coming was foretold over 700 years previously by another prophet:
"A voice of one calling: 'In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.'" (Isaiah 40:3-5)
Jesus, the Creator God of all things, selected John to be His special ambassador to proclaim His coming. His ministry grew in popularity.
"People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River." (Matthew 3:5–6)
To be baptized by John was to admit your sin and repent of it—which was, of course, a great way to be prepared for the Savior’s coming. The repentance associated with John’s baptism also kept the self-righteous out of the water, as they did not see themselves as sinners. For the self-righteous, John used harsh words, calling them a "brood of vipers" and warning them not to rely on their Jewish lineage for salvation, but to repent and "bear fruit in keeping with repentance" (Matthew 3:7–10). People of that day did not address leaders, religious or otherwise, in this manner for fear of punishment. But John’s faith made him fearless in the face of opposition.
John was generally regarded as a prophet of God (Matthew 14:5), and many may have thought he was the Messiah. This was not his intent, as he had a clear vision for what he was called to do.
"You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.'" (John 3:28)
John cautioned his disciples about what they had seen and heard from him: it was just the beginning of the miracle that would come in the person of the Messiah. He constantly reminded the people that he was merely a messenger sent by God to proclaim the truth, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near" (Matthew 3:2). He knew that, once the Messiah appeared on the scene, his work would be finished and would willingly give up the spotlight to Him, saying, "He must become greater; I must become less" (John 3:30).
EXAMPLES TO FOLLOW
There are no greater examples of humility than what is seen in both Jesus and John in Matthew 3:13–15. Jesus came from Galilee to be baptized by John in the River Jordan. John rightly recognized that his cousin needed no baptism of repentance and that he was certainly not worthy to baptize him. But Jesus answered John’s concern by requesting baptism "to fulfill all righteousness," meaning that He was identifying Himself with sinners for whom He would ultimately sacrifice Himself, thereby securing all righteousness for them (2 Corinthians 5:21). In humility, John obeyed and consented to baptize Jesus (Matthew 3:13–15). As Jesus came up out of the water, “heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased’” (verses 16–17).
While John was in prison, he heard of all the things Jesus was doing. In what seems to be a moment of doubt, John sent his disciples to Jesus to ask if He truly was the Messiah. Jesus responded by telling the men to tell John what they saw and heard—prophecies were being fulfilled. Jesus never rebuked John; rather, He gave evidence that He was the promised Savior (Matthew 11:2–6; Luke 7:18–23). Jesus then spoke to the crowd about John, saying he was the prophesied messenger who would come before the Messiah (Matthew 11:10; Luke 7:27; see Malachi 3:1).
LESSONS TO BE LEARNED
The primary lesson to learn is that wholeheartedly believing in Jesus as the Christ is possible, and you can remain steadfast with the help of the Holy Spirit. John knew that the Messiah was coming. He believed this with his whole heart and spent his days "preparing the way" for the Lord’s coming (Matthew 11:10). But the road was not an easy one to prepare. John faced doubters daily who did not share his enthusiasm for the coming Messiah. Under hard questioning from the Pharisees, he shared his belief:
"I baptize with water, . . . but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie." (John 1:26–27)
John believed in the Messiah, and his trusting faith kept him steadfast on his course until the time when he could say When I saw Jesus’ approach,
"Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)
While it is hard to know for sure what John was feeling as he sat in prison, he did have doubts and sent a message to Jesus in an effort to find the truth. Every Christian will have their faith put to the test, and can either falter n their own strength or, like John, cling to Jesus, seek truth, and stand firm in their trusting-faith and allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through them to the end because He has been given the sole responsibility to sustain and keep the Christian guiltless, free from stumbling and present them blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy. He will never let them spiritually die, be thirsty again, leave, forsake, cast out, or drive them away, nor can anything grab hold of them to separate them from the love of the Triune God who gave them the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of salvation (John 4:14, 6:37, 8:12, 10:27-29, 11:25-26; Romans 8:38-39; 1 John 2:1; Jude 1:24; 1 Corinthians 1:8; Philippians 1:6).
WHY JOHN WAS THE GREATEST PERSON WHO EVER LIVED?
The Scripture reveals that John did not see himself as “great” - nor did he see himself as worthy enough to baptize Jesus or even to carry His sandals). There are three main points to answer.
The first begins with his unique position in history, and not with any personal merit. John died without seeing the fullness of God’s plan in Jesus (see Mark 6:17–29). He never saw the Crucifixion or the glorious Resurrection. Yet even the “least in the kingdom of heaven” knows of these events and understands their meaning.
Second, John was the “greatest” because the Creator God of the Universe chose him to break the 430-year silence that had existed since the prophet Malachi. He was the Spirit-anointed bridge from the Old Testament to the New and was the last of the Old Testament prophets. His preaching was the end of the Law and the beginning of the Promise. He was the last in the long line of Prophets who had pointed to a far-distant coming Messiah, yet was the only one who actually saw Him in the flesh, standing directly in front of him.
Jesus called John the “greatest” because he held the honor of being chosen by God as the forerunner of the Messiah. John’s mission was prophesied to personally prepare the world for His arrival (Isaiah 40:3; Malachi 3:1).
When Jesus came to the River Jordan to be baptized, John prophetically declared Him, through the Holy Spirit, to the world as the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world and accredited Jesus before the Jewish crowds and leaders, some of whom believed in Jesus, and many of whom did not (John 1:19,35–36).
Third, John was the “greatest” because he preached with the power of Elijah and shared many qualities with him, including calling a nation to repentance, rebuking the king, and persevering in the face of public misunderstanding and malicious persecution (Matthew 11:16–18; Mark 6:14–19; Luke 1:17; 3:7–18).
Just as the church ritual of baptism today, the baptism of John was insufficient to save (see Acts 18:24–26; 19:1–7). The disciples of John in Ephesus needed to hear the whole Gospel, not just what John had taught. They needed to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, the one John had predicted. They needed the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
JOHNS INQUIRY ABOUT JESUS
When John was in prison, he sent some of his disciples to Jesus to ask Him,
“Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Matthew 11:3; also Luke 7:19)
This question seems out of character for John, as he had previously spoken emphatically by the Holy Spirit that Jesus was “the Lamb of God…” and now was questioning his role as Prophet, suggesting he was experiencing doubt or uncertainty about Jesus being the promised Messiah. There are a couple of primary theories about why John questioned Jesus.
The first is that John’s circumstances had changed so dramatically that they altered his understanding of the Messiah, which had been shaped by prophetic texts that combined visions of suffering and victory. He had been thrown in prison a year earlier by the wicked ruler Herod and likely knew that he would eventually be executed shortly after he sent the message to Jesus (Matthew 11:2, 14:1–12; Luke 3:20). In addition, Jesus was not being accepted as the Messiah by the majority of the people and was being met with strong resistance from the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Sanhedrin, the leaders of Israel.
John’s understanding of the Messiah was that He would be coming soon and “the ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matthew 3:10). He had preached that the Messiah would usher in the Kingdom of God and bring judgment:
“His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Matthew 3:12)
However, John was in prison, the Deliverer of Israel had not yet delivered him, and the Kingdom had yet to appear. There was no ax or winnowing fork, and no fire. In his mind, he could have been thinking there was no Messiah and was yet to come.
The second theory is that John’s trust in Jesus remained strong, and his question about Jesus being the Messiah was for the sake of his disciples and to point them to Jesus and not to doubt (John 1:29). John sent them to Jesus to hear and see His answer for themselves. John knew his time on Earth was short, and he needed them to know who Jesus was, so he sent them to Him to ask a question that would be faith-affirming, and then to follow Him from that point on.
THE RESPONSE OF JESUS
The ministry of Jesus was significantly different from traditional expectations of the Messiah because He emphasized love, mercy, and the Kingdom of God rather than political power and liberation or rebellion against the current rulers. He did not seem to fit the immediate expectations of a political liberator, which raised doubts, and he may have been seeking reassurance that Jesus was fulfilling the Messianic prophecies he had proclaimed.
Jesus responded to John, pointing out His actions (healing the sick, raising the dead, etc.) and affirming that He was indeed fulfilling those prophecies, thereby indicating His identity as the awaited Messiah without conforming to specific expectations.
“Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.” (Matthew 11:4–5)
Jesus showed John’s disciples that day that He was the Chosen One and that prophecy was being fulfilled before their eyes:
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” (Isaiah 61:1)
Jesus said to John’s disciples,
“Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” (Matthew 11:6)
John’s disciples returned to the prison to report what they had heard and seen, which either strengthened and encouraged him or led him to recognize that it emphasized the truth that Jesus was the promised Messiah.
After Jesus spoke to John’s disciples, He turned to the rest of the crowd and praised John:
“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John.” (Matthew 11:7–11; Luke 7:21–27)
Jesus did not rebuke John for asking the question. If John had doubts, Jesus' response showed His tender, caring way of handling those with doubts and wavering faith (Matthew 12:20).
For thousands of years, Israel looked forward to the arrival of an anointed Savior promised by God and foretold by Israel’s prophets (Daniel 9:25–26; Isaiah 9:1–7; 11:1–10; Jeremiah 23:5–6). John pointed his followers to Jesus (John 1:29).
IMPRISONMENT AND DEATH
John's boldness in speaking truth to power led to his imprisonment by Herod Antipas. John had publicly condemned Herod's unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.
"For Herod himself had ordered that John be arrested and bound and imprisoned on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, whom he had married. For John had been telling Herod, 'It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.'" (Mark 6:17-18)
John’s ministry, as well as his life, came to an abrupt end at the hands of King Herod when he confronted the King and ultimately led to his execution because he boldly spoke out against this marriage, much to the dislike of his new wife (Luke 3:19–20; Mark 6:17–20).
In an act of unspeakable vengeance, the wife of the King plotted with her daughter to have John killed because she harbored a grudge against John. When her daughter Salome's danced for the King and his dinner guests one night, he was so pleased that he said to her, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you” (Mark 6:22). Salome consulted with her mother before she answered and then said she wanted the head of John on a platter (verse 25). She had manipulated Herod into ordering John's beheading (Mark 6:21-28).
John's death is seen as a martyrdom for his unwavering commitment to God's truth. Herod had been afraid of John, “knowing him to be a righteous and holy man” (verse 20), and did not want to kill the prophet, but he had promised to give Salome whatever she asked. Since John was already in prison, it was a simple thing to send the executioner to behead John, which is exactly what happened (Mark 6:27–28). It was a sad and ignoble end to the life of such a faithful man.
BAPTISM OF FIRE
John came preaching repentance and baptizing in the wilderness of Judea, and he was sent as a herald to announce the arrival of Jesus as the Son of God (Matthew 3:1-12). Many of his followers were confused, “waiting expectantly” and “wondering in their hearts if he could be the Messiah. John answered them all,
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11).
The Bible declares that at the beginning of creation, God first breathed His breath upon the waters of the Earth.
“...And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:2)
Wind is often a picture of the “breath of the Almighty” that releases creative power and "gives…life." (Job 33:4, see also Psalm 33:6)
In the Hebrew text, “wind,” “spirit,” and sometimes “breath” are the same word (Ruwach). At the beginning of Jesus public ministry, He read from the Book of Isaiah to declare that the "Ruwach" of the Lord God was upon Him (Luke 4:17-21).
God promised that He would “pour out” His “Spirit on all people” (Joel 2:28). This outpouring came at Pentecost with the sound of a “rushing mighty wind” in the Upper Room, and everyone was
“filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:14)
In the beginning, Jesus, the Creator God, generated or “formed…man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life” (Genesis 2:7). It was because of Adam’s failure and disobedience that mankind took on a sin nature and became lost and separated from God. It is because of God’s great love that He provided the way back, found only in the new life salvation brings through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
After Jesus had risen from the dead, He instructed His Apostles to
“…wait for the Promise of the Father which you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” (Acts 1:4-5)
This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), and the baptism of the Spirit joins every Christian to the universal body of Jesus (1 Corinthians 12:13).
REGENERATION
After His resurrection, Jesus regenerated ten of the Apostles when He:
“breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." (John 20:22-23)
At that moment, they were Born-Again because they received and were filled with the Holy Spirit. However, they were not yet endued with power until the Day of Pentecost. That was a totally separate and distinct experience, which explains why Jesus told them not to do anything until that Day.
The other 110 Disciples with them in the Upper Room were still not yet regenerated and justified. They believed in Jesus, but they had yet to receive Him. Believing that Jesus is God is not the same as receiving Him. Even the “demons believe that-and shudder” (James 2:19 NIV). This is also the case with the men of Samaria and Ephesus, and those at Cornelius's house who were not yet Born-Again because they had not yet received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14; 10:44; 18:24).
After the resurrection, and before His return to Heaven, Jesus gave important instructions to His followers:
“I am going to send you what my Father has promised, but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:49)
The promise was the sending of the Holy Spirit, “the Counselor… from the Father” who would “testify” or prove, affirm and demonstrate that Jesus is Lord so that all those who would put their trust in Him would “receive power” to be His “witnesses…both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (John 15:26; Acts 1:8).
This was not a new promise. The gift of the Holy Spirit had been promised in the Old Testament:
“...for with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people. To whom He said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing...” (Isaiah 28:11-12)
THE DAY OF PENTECOST
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly, a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:1-4)
It is important to note that these were tongues as of fire (Gk: ‘hosei’ ‘pyros’), not literal fire. God chose to give the Holy Spirit during the Jewish observance known as the Feast of Harvest or Pentecost. For this reason, the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is often called a ‘Pentecostal’ experience. It was the celebration of the wheat harvest, and it marked the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai.
Pentecost was a national holiday when the people would be reminded of their time in Egypt and bring offerings to God, celebrating with great rejoicing in music and dance that they had been delivered from their bondage. Everyone was invited to this feast, including Levites, servants, sons and daughters, the fatherless, the widow, and even strangers (Deuteronomy 16:9-12).
When the Holy Spirit was given on that day, it was a confirmation that the New Covenant of grace - paid for by the shed blood of Jesus, and now written on the heart of every Christian - is more effectual than the Law given at Mount Sinai that was written on stone (2 Corinthians 3:3-18). It also confirms that those who place their trusting-faith in Jesus find true deliverance and healing from the penalty of sin and are then justified.
This day of Pentecost was so incredible that it affected the entire human race and their relationship to God. The Holy Spirit was given as a gift from the Father. This was the birthday of the Church universal. It began with the ministry of the Holy Spirit, indwelling and sealing the Christian at the moment of Salvation, and with the work of daily filling for power and strength. The Bible says the Holy Spirit prepares Christians for the coming of the Lord. It is He who “began a good work” and He “will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
CONCLUSION
John’s life is an example of the seriousness with which every Christian is to approach their life and call to ministry, whatever that may be. John lived his life to introduce others to Jesus. He was focused on the ministry God had given him. He knew the importance of daily repentance from sin to live a holy and righteous life. And as a servant of God, he also was unafraid of speaking truth, even when it meant calling out people in power and religious hypocrites for their sinful behavior.
Jesus is still the Coming One. He emphatically said three times in His closing words in the last book of the Bible:
“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.” (Revelation 22:7)
“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” (v12)
“He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.” (v20)
The number three in the Bible symbolizes a complete and perfect structure.
1. The unity of God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as one in three distinct persons.
2. The resurrection and new life because Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after His crucifixion.
3. There were three foundational Patriarchs of Israel - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
4. Three witnesses were required to establish a matter (See Deuteronomy 19:15).
5. The Magi gave three gifts to the newborn messiah: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh which highlighted the multifaceted nature of Jesus' identity, acknowledging Him as a king, divine figure, and His ultimate spiritual sacrifice.
- Gold signifies the royal lineage of Jesus and highlights His kingship and authority.
- Frankincense symbolizes prayer and divine presence and emphasizes Jesus' spiritual aspect and His role as an intercessor.
- Myrrh was used for anointing and embalming and this gift foreshadowed the suffering and death Jesus would endure for humanity.
We are to live each day with the eager expectation and anticipation of His return (Revelation 16:15; 2 Peter 3:11–14). Just as John said of his unworthiness compared to Jesus, “He must become greater; I must become less,” so must we become less and continually place our trusting faith in Jesus (Matthew 3:14; John 1:27; 3:20).
John was a central figure in the Bible, which narrates the trajectory of God’s work in human history. He is described as a baptizer, a righteous and holy man of priestly descent, a wilderness ascetic, feared by Herod, the prophet Elijah revived, more than a prophet, a prisoner, a royal critic, a Rabbi, and a burning and shining lamp to us all.
John was entrusted with a unique ministry, yet we are also called upon to share the truth of Jesus with others (Matthew 28:18–20; John 13:34–35; 1 Peter 3:15; 2 Corinthians 5:16–21). We can follow John’s example of faithful, obedient trust in God as we live and proclaim His truth in whatever life circumstances, we find ourselves in.
In John’s baptism, a person repented of sin and was then ready to place their faith in the promised Messiah (Jesus). His baptism foreshadowed what Jesus would accomplish, just as the Old Testament sacrificial system did temporarily.
John prepared the way for Jesus by calling people to acknowledge their sin and their need for salvation. His baptism was a purification ceremony meant to ready the people’s hearts to receive their Savior and become Born-Again.
Baptism by immersion symbolizes repentance, complete cleansing, and commitment. It is the natural response of one who has been made new, and it is a mark of their identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
The willing sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross completely washes away all sins, and the person who becomes Born-Again by repenting of their sins and receiving Him as Lord and Savior has been raised to new life that is empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:17–21; Romans 6:1–11).
Listen Beloved - John was truly the greatest prophet of his era - the Old Testament time - yet all Christians today have a fuller perspective on the work of Jesus. Just as John, we have been commissioned to go into the world and spread the Gospel message that God is love, and that His gentle and kind goodness will lead to repentance and the fullness of life, both now and eternally.
