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Saint1st century · Feast June 24

St John the Baptist

Also known as John the Forerunner, The Baptist, Yohanan

Forerunner of Christ
Prophet
Martyr

The prophetic forerunner who prepared the way for Jesus through repentance, baptism and fearless witness to truth.

A note on content. This profile is a prototype draft. Devotional traditions, historical facts and uncertain traditions will be clearly identified once entries are reviewed. We do not publish invented quotations.

The story of their life

John was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth and lived an austere prophetic vocation. He called people to repentance, baptised Jesus in the Jordan and directed attention away from himself toward Christ. His public condemnation of Herod’s unlawful marriage led to imprisonment and martyrdom.

Historical context

John preached in the religious and political tensions of first-century Judea under Herodian and Roman rule.

Defining moments

  • Leaping in Elizabeth’s womb at Mary’s visitation
  • Preaching repentance in the wilderness
  • Baptising Jesus in the Jordan
  • Pointing his disciples towards Jesus
  • Being imprisoned for speaking truth
  • Being executed by Herod Antipas

Faith and spirituality

Prophetic simplicity, repentance, truthfulness and joyful self-forgetfulness before Christ.

Why this saint matters today

John is a companion for people called to speak an unpopular truth, simplify their lives or resist the need to be the centre.

Patronage and intercession

People turn to St John the Baptist in matters of:

Baptism
Conversion
Preachers
People seeking courage
Tailors

A prayer

God of truth, through St John the Baptist’s intercession help us prepare the way for Christ with repentance, courage and humility. Amen.

Timeline

  1. 1st century BC

    Is born to Zechariah and Elizabeth

  2. c. 27–30

    Preaches repentance and baptises in the Jordan

  3. c. 27–30

    Baptises Jesus and identifies him as the one to come

  4. c. 28–30

    Is imprisoned and executed by Herod Antipas

Sources and further reading

  • https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/06/24.html
  • https://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Calendar/

Source-quality status: unverified prototype