Era: Born in the days of Herod, king of Judaea; he began to preach in the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar (Luke 1:5; Luke 3:1-2)
John the Baptist
The voice in the wilderness who prepared the way of the Lord
John was the son of the priest Zacharias and of Elisabeth, who had not been able to have children. An angel announced his birth and said he would go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah. He grew up in the wilderness, wore camel's hair and ate locusts and wild honey.
By the river Jordan he called the people to repent and baptized many, among them Jesus, whom he pointed out as "the Lamb of God". For rebuking King Herod he was imprisoned and put to death. Jesus said that among those born of women there was none greater than he.
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Reviewed by Jon J ·