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Y8 Theology: John the Baptist

Key facts

  • John the Baptist lived about 400 years after the end of the Jewish scriptures (1st decade BC to around 28-36 AD)
  • He lived in the wilderness, wearing clothes made from camel hair and eating locusts and honey
  • He preached repentance from sin and baptised people (including Jesus) in the Jordan river
  • He was executed by King Herod Antipas, partly because he criticised him for illegally marrying his sister-in-law

 

Image credit: The Baptism of Christ by Andrea del Verrocchio and Leonardo da Vinci

 

Scroll down for video sources and music

Christian vs Jewish interpretation

Christian vs Jewish interpretation

  •  John the Baptist was Jewish, as was his father Zechariah (who was a priest in the temple) but these events happened after the end of the Jewish scriptures, so he has no special role.
  • Historian Josephus records that John was a Jewish religious teacher with a large following who encouraged people to return to God and be baptised.
  • Christians believe that John was a messenger sent by God to announce the arrival of Jesus the Messiah.

Key quotes

Christian and Jewish Messianic quotes

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. (Malachi 4:5)

Christian Messianic quotes

I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Matthew 3:11) - John is speaking in this quote.

He will go ahead of the Lord, strong and mighty like the prophet Elijah. He will bring fathers and children together again; he will turn disobedient people back to the way of thinking of the righteous; he will get the Lord's people ready for him. (Luke 1:17)

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’” (Matthew 3:1-3)

And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”(Matthew 3:16-17) 

John is Elijah, whose coming was predicted. (Matthew 11:14) - Jesus is speaking in this quote

Further sources: John the Baptist

Original video link: John the Baptist: Repentance and Renewal Through Water Baptism

Only about the first three minutes of this one deal with John

Original video link: Book of Luke | Guide with Key Information and Resources

Musical interlude: John the Baptist

Classical music: Handel's Messiah

  • “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” (Isaiah 40, vv.1–3)

Benedictus (Zechariah's song)

Modern hymns and worship songs

References from resource pack

Resources provided in resource pack

Downloadable info pack

What's in a name? The meanings of biblical names

John: Yahweh (God) Is Gracious

Source: John | The amazing name John: meaning and etymology

Documentary clip

Scenes you might want to include in your documentary clip:

  • John’s birth
  • Zechariah’s song (the Benedictus)
  • John living in the wilderness, eating locusts & honey and wearing camel hair
  • The baptism of Jesus
  • John’s death
  • Catchphrase: Repent and be baptised!

End your documentary clip with the prophet or interview giving a summary to the camera – “I predicted that the Messiah would…”