John is a cousin of Christ through his mother Elizabeth. His birth took place 6 months before that of Jesus, and according to the Gospel account was expected by prophecy and foretold by an angel. Zacharias lost his power of speech because of his unbelief over the birth of his son, and had it restored on the occasion of John's circumcision.
He spent his early years in the mountainous tract of Judea lying between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. He led a simple life, wearing rope (gamla) fiber clothing and eating "locusts and wild honey".
The essence of his preaching was the necessity of repentance and turning away from selfish pursuits. His doctrine and manner of life stirred interest, bringing people from all parts to see him on the banks of the Jordan River. There he baptized thousands unto repentance.
The fame of John reached the ears of Jesus in Nazareth and he came from Galilee to Jordan to be baptized by John to "fulfill all righteousness".
He spent his early years in the mountainous tract of Judea lying between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. He led a simple life, wearing rope (gamla) fiber clothing and eating "locusts and wild honey".
The essence of his preaching was the necessity of repentance and turning away from selfish pursuits. His doctrine and manner of life stirred interest, bringing people from all parts to see him on the banks of the Jordan River. There he baptized thousands unto repentance.
The fame of John reached the ears of Jesus in Nazareth and he came from Galilee to Jordan to be baptized by John to "fulfill all righteousness".
His public ministry was suddenly (after about 6 months probably) brought to a close by his being cast into prison by Herod, whom he had reproved for the sin of having taken to himself the wife of his brother Philip. He was shut up in a fortress on Peraea, 9 miles east of the Dead Sea, and here he was beheaded at the instigation of Herodias. His disciples, having consigned the headless body to the grave, went and told Jesus all that had occurred. John's death occurred apparently just before the third Passover of Jesus' ministry.
Jesus himself testified regarding John that he was a "burning and a shining light". John was the last of the Old Testament prophets, thus serving as a bridge figure between that period of revelation and Jesus.
Jesus himself testified regarding John that he was a "burning and a shining light". John was the last of the Old Testament prophets, thus serving as a bridge figure between that period of revelation and Jesus.
References:
John the Forerunner. OrthodoxWiki.
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