The Greatest Person That Ever Lived

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)