John the Baptist: God-Loving Couple's Miraculous Birth - Research Paper

Introduction

John the Baptist was born during the reign of King Herod of Judea by Zachariah and Elizabeth. His father was an old Levite priest from the priestly division of Abijah while his mother was a God-loving woman from the descendant of Aaron. John the Baptist would be the first child of the couple, and his birth was prophesied to Zachariah by an angel of the Lord in the temple as he was officiating offering. Despite their old age, Zachariah and Elizabeth still believed in God and trusted that one day, they would bear a child. They still lived according to the Lord's regulations and commandments.

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The angel of the Lord appeared to deliver the news of answered prayer. "Rejoice and do not be afraid, Zechariah, because God has heard your prayers. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son who will be named John, and he will cause you great joy and jubilation. John the Baptist will be great in the sight of the Lord; he will not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even in his mother's womb. He will turn many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. With the spirit and strength of Elijah, he will go before him to prepare the people for the Lord."

Birth of John the Baptist

When it was time to give birth, Elizabeth gave birth to his son. The family, neighbors, and relatives shared the joy since the Lord had shown great mercy to the couple despite their old age. As it was the custom, the baby was circumcised on the eighth day and named John. But his mother said, "No, he is to be called John." They said to her, "None of your relatives has this name," She said to them, "Ask his father what his name should be." He asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John". The naming of John the Baptist was accompanied by setting free of Zachariah's tongue, who was mute during the period of pregnancy. Everyone who heard the happenings became surprised and wondered about the future of the baby. However, the Lord filled Zachariah with the holy spirit, and he prophesied about his son.

John and His Mother Go to the Wilderness

According to the prophecy, John would be called a prophet of God, and he would precede Jesus the Messiah and prepare the way for him. Elizabeth had conceived John's pregnancy earlier than Mary, who would later become the mother of Jesus, the Messiah. John would also grow, serving God by giving people the knowledge of salvation for them to be forgiven sins. Elizabeth breastfed John until he attained the age of two years. John the Baptist grew as a healthy and strong boy since the grace of God was upon him.5 When Jesus was born, King Herod heard of the news he became frightened and ordered all male babies to be killed. Elizabeth was forced to seek safety for their son and left for the Wilderness near Ayn Karim, as Zachariah advised her. John and his mother wandered in the Wilderness and would feed on locusts and honey.

Death of John's Parents; Zachariah and Elizabeth

John's parents died while he was still young. Zachariah was killed inside the temple by the soldiers of Herod after he failed to produce his son. Elizabeth killed after they had stayed for five years in the Wilderness with her son. King Herod also died the same day. John was seven years and six-month-old at the time, her mother and Herod died. He lived alone in the Wilderness with the guidance and protection of God and his angels. John ate only grass and wild honey while in the Wilderness since he was supposed to live a life of great devoutness. He also prayed and often fasted as he waited for the salvation of Israel.

John, Son of Zachariah Rebuke Herod

Herod, the Younger, became the king after the death of his father. During the second year of his reign, he took his brother's wife secretly and ushered her to his private chambers, where they perverted. Gabriel, the commander of angels, informed John about the evil act and required him to use his voice while still in the Wilderness and rebuke Herod and the wicked Herodias. This is the time John, son of Zachariah, started rebuking sins committed by Herod, and he did this while still in the Wilderness until he was thirty years old. His voice would later haunt Herodias.

John Baptizes Jesus in River Jordan

John came out of the Wilderness after a voice of God came down and commanded him to move to the lands near river Jordan. He was supposed to do so while preaching about repentance as the kingdom of God was approaching. John preached the word of God to people from all over Judea and Jerusalem. He would, after that, baptize them and let them confess their sins. While still at river Jordan, Jesus Christ came from Galilee and asked John to baptize him. Although John was first afraid, since he knew Jesus was the son of God, he would later do it to fulfill the prophecy. "The two of them went down into the water, and holy John baptized him with these words, "I baptize the one who was sent by the Father to fulfill a great mystery". After baptizing Jesus Christ, he continued baptizing other people who came to him.

John the Baptize Rebuke Herod Again and Is Imprisoned

There arose a rebel between Herod and his brother Philip over the control of provinces. When the news reached the emperor, he ordered Herod to take the territory from Philip, including his properties, which he did without any pity. Herod became the controller of the province that belonged to Philip, his house, and also all his property. It did not take long before Philip became poor, and his wife, Herodias, and his daughter Uxatriana left him for Herod. Philip wrote to John the Baptist and informed him about Herod marrying his wife. As usual, John the Baptist rebuked the act since it was sinful for one to marry his brother's wife while he was still alive. The news of John the Baptized reprimanding the married reached Herod, and he got very disturbed and afraid. He later informed Herodias.

Although all people highly respected John the Baptist and feared since he was considered a prophet of God, Herodias became annoyed by the criticism and planned to punish him. John the Baptist was arrested as Herodias ordered, and they did unspeakable things to him. John was later thrown into prison. While in prison, Herodias continued to threaten John the Baptist to stop rebuking her marriage to Herod. However, John the Baptist maintained his stand that it was evil for someone to marry the wife of his brother, who is not yet dead. They later planned to kill John the Baptist to continue enjoying their marriage without criticism.

The Death of John the Baptist

John the Baptist died while still in the hands of Herod and his ruthless wife, Herodias. After continued criticism of their immoral life, Herodias influenced his husband to order his execution. However, Herod feared that killing John the Baptist would make people rebel against their leadership and chase them away from the kingdom. Herodias is the one who planned John the Baptist's death. She tricked Herod to invite the king's envoy for a feast and waited for everyone to get drunk. Her daughter would then enter the room, well-groomed, and trick everyone with her devilish dance. She would then ask for the head of John the Baptist in front of the drunk and enthralled guests. Unwillingly, Herod ordered the executioner to behead John the Baptist, and his head was brought on a plate.

Even after his death, John the Baptist's eyes remained open as though he was still alive. Suddenly, his head let the locks of his hair loose from the plate, flew to the center of the room the feast was held, and later flew high in the air after the roof of the building opened. The head flew over Jerusalem for the next three years preaching against Herod marrying the wife of his brother while still alive, and later flew to the rest of the world.

Bibliography

Bernhard, Andrew. "The Life and Martyrdom of John the Baptist." New Testament Apocrypha, vo1. 1, 2016, pp.247. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Ceplo, Slavomir. "The Life of John the Baptist by Serapion." New Testament Apocrypha, vo1.1, 2016, pp.1-13 William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Willmington, Harold. "Chart 11: The Life of John the Baptist." (2018).