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People of the Bible
Who Was John the Baptist?
In short
John the Baptist was the prophet who prepared the way for Jesus, calling people to repentance and baptizing them in the Jordan River. He baptized Jesus Himself.
Humble to the end, he pointed away from himself and toward Christ: 'He must increase, but I must decrease.'
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
John 1:29 · King James Version (public domain)
John the Baptist at a glance
| Name | John the Baptist |
|---|---|
| Where to read about them | The Gospels |
| Key passage on this page | John 1:29 |
| Passages linked to that verse | 10 |
| Translation on this page | King James Version (public domain) |
Read it in context
Scripture explains Scripture. These passages are linked to this one most often by readers.
- Isaiah 53:7
- 1 John 2:2
- 1 Peter 1:19
- 1 John 3:5
- 2 Corinthians 5:21
- 1 Peter 2:24
- Isaiah 53:11
- Hebrews 1:3
- Revelation 12:11
- Revelation 6:1
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY.
Questions people ask
Where can I read about John the Baptist in the Bible?
John the Baptist appears in The Gospels. Start with the key passage on this page, then read the whole chapter around it.
What other passages sit beside John 1:29?
Readers most often set it next to Isaiah 53:7, 1 John 2:2, 1 Peter 1:19, 1 John 3:5.
Why does John the Baptist matter to Christians today?
Because the story of John the Baptist is told to point to Christ and to teach us to love one another. Read it as part of the one story of Scripture, not as a stand-alone biography.
Pray this
Jesus, our Shepherd, nothing about John the Baptist is hidden from you. We bring you John the Baptist, The Gospels. Make us people who love one another there. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Live this
Three small things you can do this week.
- Read the key passage, John 1:29, aloud once today.
- Write one sentence about what John the Baptist's story says about God, not only about John the Baptist.
- Tell one person what you noticed, and ask what Bible story has stayed with them.
Where this fits in the walk with Christ
Nothing here is a finish line. It is one door into a life with Christ and with His people.
Read the story of John the Baptist
You can read the story of John the Baptist in The Gospels on The Living Bread, free, with audio, and with Simon to answer your questions along the way.
