Biblical figure
Who was John the Baptist?
Prophetic forerunner of Jesus, preacher of repentance, and baptizer in the Jordan.
First appears in Matthew 3:1 · 3 books · 9 chapters
Overview
John the Baptist stands between the prophetic world of expectation and the public beginning of Jesus’ ministry. His voice is severe, clear, and public: repent, prepare, be washed, and expect the coming one.
He remains culturally memorable because he is both ascetic and dramatic. Artists, preachers, and writers repeatedly return to him as a figure of conscience, wilderness, and preparation before revelation.