Topical Bible: Persecution of John the Baptist

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John the Baptist, a pivotal figure in the New Testament, is renowned for his role as the forerunner to Jesus Christ, preparing the way for the Messiah through his preaching and baptism of repentance. His life and ministry, however, were marked by persecution, culminating in his imprisonment and execution.

Background and Ministry

John the Baptist was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth, both of whom were righteous before God (Luke 1:5-6). His birth was foretold by the angel Gabriel, who announced that John would be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb and would turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God (Luke 1:15-16). John lived a life of asceticism in the wilderness, wearing camel's hair and a leather belt, and subsisting on locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4).

John's ministry was characterized by his call to repentance and his baptism of those who confessed their sins. He boldly proclaimed, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near" (Matthew 3:2). His message attracted large crowds, including tax collectors and soldiers, whom he admonished to live righteously (Luke 3:12-14).

Conflict with Herod Antipas

The persecution of John the Baptist is most notably linked to his confrontation with Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee. John openly criticized Herod for his unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, saying, "It is not lawful for you to have her" (Matthew 14:4). This bold rebuke of Herod's immoral actions led to John's arrest and imprisonment.

Herodias harbored a grudge against John and sought to kill him, but Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and protected him (Mark 6:19-20). Herod also enjoyed listening to John, though he was perplexed by his words (Mark 6:20).

Imprisonment and Execution

John's imprisonment took place in the fortress of Machaerus, located in Perea. Despite his confinement, John continued to influence the spiritual landscape of Israel. His disciples visited him, and he sent them to Jesus to inquire if He was the expected Messiah (Matthew 11:2-3).

The culmination of John's persecution occurred during Herod's birthday celebration. Herodias's daughter, Salome, danced before Herod and his guests, pleasing him so much that he promised to grant her any request. Prompted by her mother, Salome asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter (Mark 6:22-25). Though distressed, Herod reluctantly ordered John's execution to fulfill his oath and to avoid losing face before his guests (Mark 6:26-28).

John's disciples retrieved his body and laid it in a tomb, and they informed Jesus of his death (Mark 6:29). The martyrdom of John the Baptist is a testament to his unwavering commitment to truth and righteousness, even in the face of persecution and death. His life and ministry continue to serve as a powerful example of faithfulness and courage in the proclamation of God's word.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 14:3-12
For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Jesus Sets Out from Jud??a for Galilee.
... by John the Baptist] for Herodias his brother's wife, and for all the evil things
which Herod had done [A full account of the sin of Herod and persecution of ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxvi jesus sets out from.htm

The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... it was probably only until the alarm about Herod's persecution had subsided ... leaving
Hebron they entered the wilderness where little John the Baptist was in ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the flight into egypt.htm

Jealousy of John's Disciples. --Final Testimony of the Baptist. ...
... 322.) This suits the place described in John, as Christ ... border town, to Judea; and
the Baptist may have ... it necessary, in order to avoid persecution, to betake ...
/.../section 120 jealousy of johns.htm

The Glory of the Martyrs.
... Here is St. John the Baptist, the fearless precursor of Jesus. ... Matthew 10.+ John
16.p>But in spite of all this hatred and persecution, they sowed the seed ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter xvii the glory of.htm

Of the System of the Anchorites and Its Beginning.
... desert by reason of necessity, while during the time of persecution he was ... the vast
recesses of the desert, imitating, to wit, John the Baptist, who passed ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter vi of the system.htm

The Roman Conflagration and the Neronian Persecution.
... In a similar sense Rome was a second Babylon, and John the Baptist another
Elijah. Notes. I. The Accounts of the Neronian Persecution. ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 37 the roman conflagration.htm

The Spirit and Power of Elias.
... Elijah, and that nearer pinnacle the Baptist, is waiting ... The water of John's baptism
symbolised a negation, but ... for Jesus, to endure the persecution and trial ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xvii the spirit and power.htm

The Canons of the Blessed Peter, Archbishop of Alexandria, and ...
... Peter of Alexandria was martyred ad 311 in the persecution in the time of Diocletian,
carried on by Maximian. ... John the Baptist was taken by St. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/ii the canons of the.htm

"We must Increase, but I must Decrease. "
... During all this time the Baptist was continuing his ... the Jordan Valley, though now
driven by persecution to leave ... "John was not yet cast into prison," but the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/ix we must increase but.htm

The Law, and the Prophecy.
... his lamentations over Jerusalem, his holy grief, his bitter persecution he resembles ...
reappeared for a short season embodied in John the Baptist, and then ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 10 the law and.htm