Notes on "John the Baptist"

John was the son of "a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron." Luke 1:5

At the time of John the Baptist people were seeking the return of the Prophet Elijah. Malachi 4:5 predicted the return of Elijah as a precursor to the coming of the Lord. When they saw John dressed in the same manner as Elijah was described in 2 Kings 1:8 many saw him as Elijah. However as we are told in 2 Kings:11 2 Elijah did not die and we know John was born then they can not be the same person.

N. B. If John is John and not Elijah then when can we expect to see Elijah? No one can say for sure but I am intrigued by Revelation 11:3 "And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth."

John's Clothes:

What then is the significance of John's clothes? Camelhair was simple rustic garb and the sign that John was rejecting the luxurious lifestyle to which he was born. It was not particularly uncomfortable to wear, in fact it would be well suited to a man in the wilderness.

John's Imprisonment:

John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod the Tetrarch for chastising Herod for his sinful ways. John told Herod that he should not have an incestuous relationship with his niece Herodias who was also married to his brother. Matthew 14:3 - 4

References:

8 They replied, "He was a man with a garment of hair and with a leather belt around his waist." The king said, "That was Elijah the Tishbite."

2 Kings:11 2

11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.

Malachi 4:5

5 See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes.

Mathew 3:4

4 John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist.

Matthew 14:3 - 4

3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him
and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife,

4 for John had been saying to him: "It is not lawful for you to have her."

Matthew 16:14

14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

Mark 1:6

5 John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist.

Mark 8:28

28 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets."

Luke 1:5

5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.

Luke 9:19

19 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life."

To Understand my faith better I have decided to construct these pages. They are strictly educational, non-commercial and to foster scholarly discussion. All Bible quotes are from the New International Version unless otherwise stated. I use the NIV because while not a perfect translation, certainly the best available. All mistakes are my own and if you differ from my thoughts I welcome your comments. J. Barry O'Connell Jr.