John the Baptist

John the Baptist was the son of Zechariah, a priest of the division of Abijah, and Elizabeth, a descendant of Aaron (Luk.1.5). His birth was announced to Zechariah by the angel Gabriel in the temple while he was offering incense; because Zechariah doubted, he was struck mute until the child was born and named John at circumcision. From his youth John lived in the wilderness, eating locusts and wild honey and wearing a garment of camel hair (Mat.3.4). He began preaching repentance and a baptism of forgiveness along the Jordan River, drawing crowds from Judea and Jerusalem. His message echoed Isaiah 40: 'Make straight the way of the Lord.' Jesus came from Galilee to be baptized by John, and at that moment the Spirit descended like a dove and the Father spoke from heaven (Mat.3.17). John later identified Jesus to his own disciples as 'the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world' (Joh.1.29) and said, 'He must increase; I must decrease' (Joh.3.30). John rebuked Herod Antipas for marrying his brother's wife Herodias. This cost him his freedom and ultimately his life: at Herod's birthday feast, Herodias's daughter danced and pleased the king, who offered her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she asked for John's head on a platter, and the order was given (Mat.14.6–11). Jesus called John the greatest prophet and the Elijah who was to come.