John the Baptist
Who is John the Baptist? The prophet and witness who prepared the way for Jesus, known for his call to repentance and baptism. He was not one of Jesus' twelve apostles. Read the key chapters.
John the Baptist is described in the Gospels as a prophet and witness who prepared for the coming of Jesus; he was not one of Jesus' twelve apostles. He is known for his call to repentance in the wilderness and for baptizing people in the Jordan. In Christian interpretation, Jesus' baptism by John does not mean that Jesus had sinned; it is read as his identification with humanity and the public beginning of his ministry. The chapters below gather his birth, his call and his encounter with Jesus in the context of Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 1 and John 1. Each link takes you straight to the reading page.
Read the chapters
- Matthew 3
A chapter recounting John's call to repentance in the wilderness and Jesus' baptism at his hands, marking the moment Jesus begins his public work.
- Mark 1
The brisk opening of Mark's Gospel — John's call to prepare the way, Jesus' baptism, and the start of his teaching and healing among the crowds.
- Luke 1
The opening of Luke's Gospel, recounting how the angel Gabriel announces two extraordinary births and how Mary responds to the news, setting the stage for the birth narratives.
- John 1
The poetic opening of John's Gospel introduces Jesus as the eternal 'Word' who brings light into the world and becomes human.
Related topics
Related places
Related verse collections
- Bible Verses About Love
- Bible Verses About Prayer
- Bible Verses of Comfort
- Bible Verses About Fear and Anxiety
- Bible Verses About Forgiveness
- Bible Verses About Faith
- Bible Verses About Creation
- Bible Verses About Salvation
- Bible Verses About Marriage
- Bible Verses About Money and Contentment
- Bible Verses About Humility
- Bible Verses About Generosity
- Bible Verses About Jesus
- Bible Verses About Witness
- Bible Verses About Loneliness
- Bible Verses About Guidance
- Bible Verses About Joy
- Bible Verses About Healing
- Bible Verses About Peace and Rest
- Bible Verses About Mercy
- Bible Verses About Friendship
- Bible Verses About Honesty
Reading plans
- Start with John — 7 Days Through the Life of Jesus
- The Bible for Beginners — 10 Days
- Holy Week — The Final Days of Jesus
- Two Weeks in the Parables of Jesus
- Advent — 24 Days to Christmas
- The Bible in a Year — 365 Days from Cover to Cover
- 30 Days with the Gospel — An Introduction to the New Testament
Related guides
- What Is Baptism?
What is baptism, what does it mean and where does it appear in the Bible? A short, neutral guide to the meaning of baptism and its place in the Gospels.
Books
People in the Bible
What did John the Baptist do?
John the Baptist called people to turn around and baptized those who came to him in the Jordan River; according to the Gospels he was the forerunner who announced the coming of Jesus.