John
Ἰωάννης · Iōannēs · G2491G“the grace or mercy of the Lord” Hitchcock's 186989 mentions in 5 books, most in Matthew (23)
Who he was
John the Baptist was a significant figure in the New Testament who played a crucial role in preparing the way for Jesus Christ. He was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, born miraculously in their old age (Luk.1.13,60,63). John lived an ascetic life in the wilderness, wearing camel's hair and eating locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6).
As a prophet, John preached a message of repentance and baptized people in the Jordan River (Matthew 3:1; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:2). He emphasized the importance of bearing fruit worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:8) and warned of the coming judgment (Matthew 3:10). Many people, including tax collectors and soldiers, came to be baptized by him (Luk.3.12,14).
John's ministry reached its climax when Jesus came to be baptized by him (Matthew 3:13–14; Mark 1:9). John initially hesitated, recognizing Jesus' superiority, but Jesus insisted, and John baptized Him. This event marked the beginning of Jesus' public ministry.
Later, John was imprisoned by Herod Antipas for criticizing Herod's marriage to his brother's wife (Matthew 4:12; 14.3-4; Mark 6:17–18; Luke 3:20). While in prison, John sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was the Messiah (Matthew 11:2–3; Luke 7:18–19). Jesus responded by pointing to His miracles and teachings, affirming His identity (Matthew 11:4–6; Luke 7:22–23).
Tragically, John was beheaded at the request of Herodias' daughter (Matthew 14:8–10; Mark 6:24–28). Jesus praised John as a great prophet and more than a prophet, the one who prepared the way for the Messiah (Matthew 11:7–14; Luke 7:24–28).
John's disciples continued to follow some of his practices even after his death, such as fasting (Matthew 9:14; Mark 2:18; Luke 5:33). Jesus spoke of John's greatness and his role in salvation history (Matthew 11:11–13; Luke 16:16). The early Church recognized John as the forerunner of Christ, fulfilling the prophecies of Isaiah and Malachi (Matthew 3:3; 11.10; Mark 1:2; Luke 3:4–6; 7.27).
Article: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0
Family
Family relations: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0
Every mention
89 references, counted from STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0 · verse text: World English Bible (public domain)
Matthew23 mentions
Matthew 3:1In those days, John the Baptizer came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,Matthew 3:4Now John himself wore clothing made of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.Matthew 3:13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.Matthew 3:14But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?”Matthew 4:12Now when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee.Matthew 9:14Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”Matthew 11:2Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciplesMatthew 11:4Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:Matthew 11:7As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?Matthew 11:11Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.Matthew 11:12From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.Matthew 11:13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.Matthew 11:18For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’Matthew 14:2and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptizer. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him.”Matthew 14:3For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.Matthew 14:4For John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”Matthew 14:8She, being prompted by her mother, said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptizer.”Matthew 14:10and he sent and beheaded John in the prison.Matthew 16:14They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”Matthew 17:13Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptizer.Matthew 21:25The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?” They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’Matthew 21:26But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.”Matthew 21:32For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him; but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. When you saw it, you didn’t even repent afterward…
Mark15 mentions
Mark 1:4John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins.Mark 1:6John was clothed with camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey.Mark 1:9In those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.Mark 1:14Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Good News of God’s Kingdom,Mark 2:18John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, and they came and asked him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don’t fast?”Mark 6:14King Herod heard this, for his name had become known, and he said, “John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”Mark 6:16But Herod, when he heard this, said, “This is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead.”Mark 6:17For Herod himself had sent out and arrested John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her.Mark 6:18For John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”Mark 6:20for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he did many things, and he heard him gladly.Mark 6:24She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” She said, “The head of John the Baptizer.”Mark 6:25She came in immediately with haste to the king and requested, “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptizer on a platter.”Mark 8:28They told him, “John the Baptizer, and others say Elijah, but others, one of the prophets.”Mark 11:30The baptism of John—was it from heaven, or from men? Answer me.”Mark 11:32If we should say, ‘From men’”—they feared the people, for all held John to really be a prophet.
Luke23 mentions
Luke 1:13But the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.Luke 1:60His mother answered, “Not so; but he will be called John.”Luke 1:63He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.” They all marveled.Luke 3:2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.Luke 3:15As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ,Luke 3:16John answered them all, “I indeed baptize you with water, but he comes who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit…Luke 3:20added this also to them all, that he shut up John in prison.Luke 5:33They said to him, “Why do John’s disciples often fast and pray, likewise also the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink?”Luke 7:18The disciples of John told him about all these things.Luke 7:19John, calling to himself two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?”Luke 7:20When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?’”Luke 7:22Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are…Luke 7:24When John’s messengers had departed, he began to tell the multitudes about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?Luke 7:28“For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in God’s Kingdom is greater than he.”Luke 7:29When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John’s baptism.Luke 7:33For John the Baptizer came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’Luke 9:7Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him; and he was very perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead,Luke 9:9Herod said, “I beheaded John, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” He sought to see him.Luke 9:19They answered, “‘John the Baptizer,’ but others say, ‘Elijah,’ and others, that one of the old prophets has risen again.”Luke 11:1When he finished praying in a certain place, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.”Luke 16:16“The law and the prophets were until John. From that time the Good News of God’s Kingdom is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.Luke 20:4the baptism of John, was it from heaven, or from men?”Luke 20:6But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”
John19 mentions
John 1:6There came a man sent from God, whose name was John.John 1:15John testified about him. He cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’”John 1:19This is John’s testimony, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”John 1:26John answered them, “I baptize in water, but among you stands one whom you don’t know.John 1:28These things were done in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.John 1:29The next day, he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!John 1:32John testified, saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending like a dove out of heaven, and it remained on him.John 1:35Again, the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples,John 1:40One of the two who heard John and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.John 3:23John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came and were baptized;John 3:24for John was not yet thrown into prison.John 3:25Therefore a dispute arose on the part of John’s disciples with some Jews about purification.John 3:26They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, he baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.”John 3:27John answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.John 4:1Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than JohnJohn 5:33You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth.John 5:36But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father gave me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me.John 10:40He went away again beyond the Jordan into the place where John was baptizing at first, and he stayed there.John 10:41Many came to him. They said, “John indeed did no sign, but everything that John said about this man is true.”
Acts9 mentions
Acts 1:5For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”Acts 1:22beginning from the baptism of John to the day that he was received up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”Acts 10:37you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;Acts 11:16I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.’Acts 13:24before his coming, when John had first preached the baptism of repentance to Israel.Acts 13:25As John was fulfilling his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. But behold, one comes after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’Acts 18:25This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John.Acts 19:3He said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.”Acts 19:4Paul said, “John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Christ Jesus.”
What the dictionary says
(1.) One who, with Annas and Caiaphas, sat in judgment on the apostles Peter and John (Acts 4:6).
Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Read the article →Sources
- STEPBible TIPNR · Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References · CC BY 4.0 · github.com/STEPBible/STEPBible-Data
- Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary (1869) · Public domain