ABSTRACT
The main historical record for the life of John the Baptist is the Bible, specifically the New Testament, revered by Christians worldwide as an authoritative complement to the Old Testament. Each of the Gospels records significant portions of the life and ministry of John, and three of them actually begin with his birth rather than that of Jesus, who is the central figure of the New Testament. Historical tradition suggests that John was born in a village four miles west of Jerusalem around 7 B.C. to elderly parents, Zacharias, a Jewish priest, and Elisabeth, a relative of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The Gospel of Luke provides the most extensive treatment of the early life of John and indicates that he was probably born about six months before his cousin. Like those of other famous Old and New Testament patriarchs and heroes, John’s birth, Luke relates, was foretold by an angel, in this case Gabriel, who also appeared to Mary and prophesied the coming of Jesus. Gabriel, in fact, suggested the name John, and friends and relatives were shocked at the time of John’s circumcision and dedication to learn that he would not be named for his father, Zacharias (Luke 1:63).
