Scripture Compass
Who's Who
Painterly portrait of a lean wilderness prophet with sun-darkened skin, long dark hair and beard, wearing a rough camel-hair garment.
Painterly interpretation — not a historical likeness.

New Testament

John the Baptist

The wilderness prophet who pointed everyone away from himself, to Jesus.

Well-attestedc. 4 BC – c. AD 30, Roman Judea

Their story, briefly

  1. Son of priestly parents Zechariah and Elizabeth; relative of Jesus.
  2. Preached repentance in the Judean wilderness, dressed in camel hair, baptizing in the Jordan.
  3. Baptized Jesus and saw the Spirit descend like a dove; declared, 'Behold, the Lamb of God.'
  4. Said of Jesus: 'He must increase, but I must decrease.'
  5. Arrested by Herod Antipas for confronting the king's sin; beheaded in prison.

Key passages

  • Luke 1:13-17
  • Matthew 3:1-12
  • John 1:29-34
  • John 3:30
  • Matthew 11:7-11

How their life points to Christ

John is the last and greatest of the old-covenant prophets — and the first to point his finger at Jesus and call him the Lamb. His whole ministry models the Christian posture: 'He must increase, I must decrease.'

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More from Scripture

Painterly portrait of an aged Hebrew man with a long white beard, holding stone tablets, robed in earth tones.

Moses

Reluctant prophet who led Israel out of Egypt and received the Law.

Painterly portrait of a bearded Hebrew man in robes blending navy, cream and gold, holding a scroll.

Daniel

Faithful in a foreign court — prophet of the kingdoms to come.

Painterly portrait of a rugged prophet with wild gray-streaked hair and beard, wearing a rough camel-hair cloak.

Elijah

Bold prophet who confronted kings — and crashed into burnout.