John
B. Origins
Records from the Gospels of Luke tell us that John was of Aaronic decent. Like Jesus, John’s life was prophesized about before he was even born. His father Zechariah was said to have an angel appear before him that told him to name his son John. It was later prophesized that John “shall be a nazirite to God”. A nazirite is someone who doesn’t drink, doesn’t cut their hair, and has no contact with the dead. Those who followed these rules did so in order to become closer to God. According to Luke, John was raised in a rural setting and was thought to be a Galilean. John was thought to be associated with the Essenes due to multiple parallels between his ideals and theirs. For example they both emphasized repentance, thought Israel’s rules should be monogamous, and both associate God’s spirit with water. Although the similarities were numerous, John didn’t follow along with all of their teachings, making researchers believe that he may have been with them for a while and then eventually broken off.
C. Context
It is thought that John baptized people in one of two locations, the Jordan River and the Aenon. Those being baptized believed that by repenting and coming to the river to get baptized they were getting a fresh start and could once again be seen as Abraham’s true descendents. John was associated with other men who were false prophets and summon people into the wilderness to preach.
D. Message and Activities
1. John and Elijah- The way John presented himself and dressed made it seem as if he thought of himself as a prophet. Considering that the activity he was most well known for was baptizing, he was seen as John the Baptist. There are many correlations between John’s teachings and Elisha. They both reference the Jordan River, and believe in using water to be restored. John believed he was the prophet that was to come after Elisha so it was no wonder his ideas were parallel to Elisha’s.
2. John and Malachi- John’s teachings are also similar to the oracles of Malachi, both strongly disagreeing with divorce. Malachi also mentions a messenger that will prepare the way for the Lord. Many believed John to be the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophesy.
3. John and Isaiah- The most straightforward connection between John and Isaiah comes form the verse Isa 40:3, where Isaiah prophesizes a voice in the wilderness preparing the way for the Lord. There are also many verbal and thematic parallels between John and Isaiah’s writing. Words such as “coming”, “burning”, “anger” and “fire” show up in both John and Isaiah’s writing.
E. Relation to Jesus
Although there is some speculation on whether or not John baptized Jesus it is thought by researchers that it must be true due to the embarrassment principle.
F. The Death of John
John was arrested and beheaded for questioning Herod’s divorce. John’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Later gospel writer agreed with his ideas about baptism but emphasized that it is not right to be baptized with out repentance. The gospel writers believed that Herod killed John because he was afraid of what John’s influence over the people would do. The Gospel writers emphasize John’s idea of repentance while Josepus thought John was emphasizing morals in his teachings. Joespus and the gospels are telling similar stories about John, but just highlighting different parts of it.
G. After John's Death
John’s ideas and work are not forgotten. He is spoken about in later gospels and religious works. After his death some of his followers were “baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus”.
B. Origins
Records from the Gospels of Luke tell us that John was of Aaronic decent. Like Jesus, John’s life was prophesized about before he was even born. His father Zechariah was said to have an angel appear before him that told him to name his son John. It was later prophesized that John “shall be a nazirite to God”. A nazirite is someone who doesn’t drink, doesn’t cut their hair, and has no contact with the dead. Those who followed these rules did so in order to become closer to God. According to Luke, John was raised in a rural setting and was thought to be a Galilean. John was thought to be associated with the Essenes due to multiple parallels between his ideals and theirs. For example they both emphasized repentance, thought Israel’s rules should be monogamous, and both associate God’s spirit with water. Although the similarities were numerous, John didn’t follow along with all of their teachings, making researchers believe that he may have been with them for a while and then eventually broken off.
C. Context
It is thought that John baptized people in one of two locations, the Jordan River and the Aenon. Those being baptized believed that by repenting and coming to the river to get baptized they were getting a fresh start and could once again be seen as Abraham’s true descendents. John was associated with other men who were false prophets and summon people into the wilderness to preach.
D. Message and Activities
1. John and Elijah- The way John presented himself and dressed made it seem as if he thought of himself as a prophet. Considering that the activity he was most well known for was baptizing, he was seen as John the Baptist. There are many correlations between John’s teachings and Elisha. They both reference the Jordan River, and believe in using water to be restored. John believed he was the prophet that was to come after Elisha so it was no wonder his ideas were parallel to Elisha’s.
2. John and Malachi- John’s teachings are also similar to the oracles of Malachi, both strongly disagreeing with divorce. Malachi also mentions a messenger that will prepare the way for the Lord. Many believed John to be the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophesy.
3. John and Isaiah- The most straightforward connection between John and Isaiah comes form the verse Isa 40:3, where Isaiah prophesizes a voice in the wilderness preparing the way for the Lord. There are also many verbal and thematic parallels between John and Isaiah’s writing. Words such as “coming”, “burning”, “anger” and “fire” show up in both John and Isaiah’s writing.
E. Relation to Jesus
Although there is some speculation on whether or not John baptized Jesus it is thought by researchers that it must be true due to the embarrassment principle.
F. The Death of John
John was arrested and beheaded for questioning Herod’s divorce. John’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Later gospel writer agreed with his ideas about baptism but emphasized that it is not right to be baptized with out repentance. The gospel writers believed that Herod killed John because he was afraid of what John’s influence over the people would do. The Gospel writers emphasize John’s idea of repentance while Josepus thought John was emphasizing morals in his teachings. Joespus and the gospels are telling similar stories about John, but just highlighting different parts of it.
G. After John's Death
John’s ideas and work are not forgotten. He is spoken about in later gospels and religious works. After his death some of his followers were “baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus”.
Salome and John the Baptist
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