ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the narrative dimension of rewritten Scripture and Luke's characterization of John the Baptist through omitted material (OM), new material (NM), and adapted material (AM). Luke also modifies the portrait by narrative anticipation, which referred as reserved material (RM). The chapter analyses the dynamic of tradition, which is behind reshaping an early Christian figure in Luke-Acts. Ernst has noted the similarity in the modes of Josephus' and Luke's presentation of the Baptist figure. The chapter argues that both stress a figure who preaches correct ethical behaviour. Luke’s ars narrandi does not seem to be bound by pretended exactitudes of previous narratives, but rather corrects them in an agenda that is coherent with the thread of Luke’s overall literary work. Historical-critical exegesis has disclosed the fact that John the Baptist is a figure modelled by the gospel author’s tendencies. In 1911, Martin Dibelius first applied his technique of form criticism to gospel pericopes about John the Baptist.
