John the baptizer

John the Baptist—a 1st century Jewish prophet seen as the forerunner of Jesus. His story is gleaned from the four Gospels, from the Acts of the Apostles, and from historian Josephus. His parents were Elizabeth and Zechariah, who was a priest. His early life was probably as a hermit or part of a monastic community. He preached the wrathful judgment of God and baptized his willing listeners. His criticism of Herod Antipas and Herod’s wife Herodias landed John in jail. The dance of Herodius’ daughter before Herod so pleased him that Herod promised her any request: it was the head of John the Baptist.