All Christians in the world know the glorious couple of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. The names of these two personalities are inextricably linked. Moreover, while almost every devout person knows the life story of Jesus, not everyone knows about the earthly path of John the Baptist.
History of the Baptist
Who is John the Baptist and what is his role in the Christian religion? Unfortunately, documentary evidence (except for the Gospel) and a couple of biographies about the deeds of this person were practically not preserved. Despite this, John the Baptist is a real person whose existence no one disputes. This man of great importance became the "Forerunner" of Jesus Christ. Many people do not understand what this word means. The meaning of the word "forerunner" in various sources is interpreted differently. This is the predecessor, the person who, through his activities, prepared the way for something or someone, an event or phenomenon that set the stage for other acts. John the Baptist was the son of the elderly high priest Zacharias, desperate to have an heir, and his righteous wife Elizabeth. The biblical scriptures say that he was born six months earlier than Jesus. The angel Gabriel announced his birth and service to the Lord. Also, Isaiah and Malachi spoke of his birth. He was called a baptist because he performed the ritual of washing (baptizing) a person in the waters of the river. Jordan as its spiritual renewal.
The exact place where John was born is not indicated in any source. It is believed that he was born in Ein Karem, a suburb of Jerasulim. Today, a Franciscan monastery stands on this site, dedicated to this Saint. Many theologians believe that Father John Zacharias was killed in the temple on the orders of King Herod after he refused to indicate the whereabouts of his newborn son. The Baptist's mother saved him from being killed during the massacre of Bethlehem’s babies, hiding in the desert. According to legend, she, having heard about the search for John, went with him to the mountain. With a loud voice, Elizabeth ordered the mountain to shelter her and her son, after which the rock opened and let her in. At that time they were constantly guarded by an angel of the Lord.
Information about John
All the circumstances of the birth and life of John the Baptist are described in detail in the Gospel of Luke. He spent his youth in the desert. The life of John the Baptist until his appearance to the people was ascetic. He wore clothes sewn from the coarse wool of a camel and belted with a leather belt. John the Baptist ate dried acridas (locust insects) and wild honey. Having reached the age of thirty, he began to preach to the people in the Judean desert.
John the Baptist the Baptist called people to repent of their sins and follow a righteous life. His speeches were laconic, but made a strong impression. One of his favorite phrases is: “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is drawing near!” It was thanks to John that the expression “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” appeared, since in this way he expressed his protest to orthodox Judaism.
Introduction to the designation "Forerunner"
For the first time John the Baptist was called the "Forerunner" by the Gnostic Heraclion, who lived in the II century. This designation was later adopted by the Christian scholar Clement of Alexandria. In the Orthodox Church, both the epithet "Forerunner" and "Baptist" are used equally often, and in the Catholic, the second is used much more often. Since ancient times, two major holiday revered by the people have been dedicated to John in Russia: Ivan Kupala and Ivan Golovosek (Beheading).
The influence of John the Baptist on the people
The Baptist began to preach around 28 C.E. He rebuked people for pride with his chosenness and demanded the restoration of the old patriarchal ethical standards. The strength of the preaching of the Forerunner was so great that the population of Jerusalem and all the Jewish surroundings came to be baptized. John made water consecration in r. Jordan. At the same time, he said that when washing man, God forgives him sins. Immersion in water and repentance, he called the preparation for the adoption of the Messiah, who was soon to appear in these parts. On the shores of the Jordan, John continued to preach, gathering an increasing number of followers around him. There is evidence that, under the influence of the Forerunner’s speeches, even the Pharisees (a religious group calling for the scrupulous observance of the Law) and the Sadducees (high clergy and aristocrats) came to be baptized, but John sent them away without baptism.
The essence of the teachings of John the Baptist
At the beginning of his preaching work, the Forerunner combined a call for repentance with immersion in the sacred waters of the Jordan. This procedure symbolized the cleansing of human sins and preparation for the coming of the Messiah.
Sermons of John to soldiers, tax collectors and other people
In addition to communicating with ordinary people, the Baptist devoted much time to preaching to soldiers. He urged them not to slander, not to offend anyone, and to be content with their salary. The forerunner asked the tax collectors not to demand more than what he defined by law. All people, regardless of their position and prosperity, he urged to share both food and clothing. The followers of the Baptist created a community called the “disciples of John”. Among her own kind, she was distinguished by extremely strict asceticism.
Prophecy of the Messiah
St. John the Baptist, when asked about the messenger of God, answered the Jerusalem Pharisees: “I am baptizing in water, but I am standing among you that you do not know. He is following me, but who is ahead of me. ” With these words, he confirms the coming to earth of the Messiah.
Introducing John the Baptist to Jesus
Jesus Christ, among other Israelites, came to the banks of the Jordan to listen to John’s sermons. Almost immediately, he asked for the baptism at the hand of the Forerunner in order to “fulfill all truth.” Despite all his severity, the Prophet John the Baptist pointed to the people of Christ as the Lamb of God. The evangelists Matthew, Mark, and Luke wrote about a meeting between the Forerunner and Jesus. At the same time, the Apostle John writes about two aspects of the communication of these personalities. So, for the first time, a stranger appeared before the Baptist, in which the Spirit in the form of a white dove pointed him to the Lamb of God. The next day, Christ and the Baptist met again. It was then that John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus the Messiah, which, according to the theologians, became his main feat.
Baptism of jesus
At the time when John the Baptist was in Bithavar near the Jordan River, Jesus came to him, who wanted to be baptized. Since today the exact location of this settlement cannot be established, the site on the banks of the river where the Monastery of St. John is located is the place for Christ to bathe from the 16th century. It is located one kilometer from Beit Avara, 10 km east of Jericho.
During the baptism of Jesus, "the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit came upon him like a dove, and a voice from heaven said:" You are My Beloved Son, in You My good pleasure. " Thus, thanks to John, the nationwide messianic mission of the Son of God was witnessed. Baptism had a profound effect on Jesus; therefore, it is seen by the evangelists as the very first important event of the Messiah's social activities. After meeting with Christ, John baptized people in Enon, which is located near Salim.
After baptism, Jesus became the successor of John. He even began his speeches, as the Forerunner, with a call to repentance and a proclamation of the approach of the Kingdom of Heaven. Theologians believe that without Christ, John’s sermons would be ineffective. At the same time, without the Baptist as the Messiah, who set the stage for Jesus' sermons, his reading would not have found such an echo among the people.
The Significance of John the Baptist in Christianity
Despite all his merits, the Baptist in religious traditions does not at all equate to Christ. Although he was the oldest in age and the first to preach repentance and the coming of the kingdom of God, he was nevertheless placed lower than Jesus. John the Baptist is often compared to the Old Testament
prophet Elijah, who also acted as a zealot for the one Supreme Almighty Yahweh and fought against false gods.
The path of John the Baptist to execution
Like Jesus Christ, the Forerunner had his own life path to execution. It is associated with the exposure by the Baptist of the Palestinian tetrarch (the man who inherited part of his father’s kingdom) Herod Antipas. He abandoned the universal principles of morality and many religious rules. Herod Antipas married the wife of his brother Herodias, thereby violating Jewish customs. John the Baptist openly condemned this ruler. At the instigation of the evil Herodias, Herod Antipas circa 30 AD imprisoned the Forerunner, but, fearing popular anger, still saved his life.
The Beheading of John the Baptist
Herodias could not forgive the insult to John the Baptist, so she waited for the right moment to realize her cunning plan of revenge. On the day when Herod Antipas celebrated his birth and gave a magnificent feast for elders and nobles, he wished the dance of Salome, daughter of Herodias. She pleased the ruler and his guests so much that he told her to ask him anything. At the request of Herodias, Salome demanded the head of the Baptist on a platter. Despite his fear of popular outrage, Herod fulfilled his promise. On his orders, the head of John the Baptist was chopped off in prison and served to Salome, who gave her to her treacherous mother. The reliability of this fact is confirmed by the "Jewish antiquities" written
by Josephus.The image of John the Baptist in world art
St. John the Baptist attracted not only artists and sculptors, but also composers. During the Renaissance, many geniuses of fine art turned to the image and episodes of the biography of the Forerunner. In addition, the artists depicted Salome, dancing or holding a tray with the head of the Baptist. Masters such as Giotto, Donatello, Leonardo da Vinci, Tintoretto, Caravaggio, Roden, El Greco devoted their works to him. The world-famous painting by A. Ivanov, “The Appearance of Christ to the People,” is dedicated to the meeting of the Baptist with Jesus. In the Middle Ages, bronze and terracotta figures of the Forerunner were very popular.
The Significance of the Forerunner in World Religions
John the Baptist is revered as the last of the messenger of the Messiah, not only in Christianity. In Islam and in religious movements such as Baha'is and Mandeans, he is worshiped under the name Yalya (Yahya). In some Arab Christian churches, he is known as Juhanna.
Burial place of the Baptist
According to legend, Herodias mocked the head of the Baptist for several days. After that, she ordered her to be buried in a landfill. According to other sources, the head in a clay jug was buried on the Mount of Olives. It is believed that the headless body of the Forerunner is buried in Sevastia (Samaria) near the grave of the prophet Elisha. The apostle Luke also wanted to take his body to Antioch, but local Christians gave him only the right hand (right hand) of the Saint. In 362 A.D. the tomb of John the Baptist was defeated by apostates. His remains were burned, and the ashes scattered. Despite this, many believe that the imperishable body of the Forerunner was saved and transported to Alexandria. The relics of John the Baptist, represented by his right hand and head, are considered miraculous. They are very revered shrines. The head of John the Baptist, according to some sources, is kept in the Roman church of San Silvestro in Capit, according to others - in the Umayyad mosque located in Damascus. Also known about such shrines in Amiens (France), Antioch (Turkey), Armenia. According to the Orthodox tradition, the head of the Baptist was acquired 3 times. It is hard to say where the real relic is actually located, but parishioners of different churches believe that their “head” is genuine.
Hand of John is located in the Cetinje Monastery, which is located in Montenegro. The Turks claim that it is kept in the museum of the palace of the Sultan of Topkapi. There is information about the right hand in the Coptic monastery. Even the empty grave of the Baptist is still visited by pilgrims who believe in its miracles.
Holidays in honor of the Forerunner
The Orthodox Church has established the following holidays dedicated to John the Baptist:
- Conception of the Forerunner - October 6.
- Christmas of John - July 7th.
- Beheading - September 11th.
- Cathedral of the Baptist - January 20.