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Name:
SPECIALIZED STUDY: BIOGRAPHICAL STUDY TEMPLATE
Instructions:
For this assignment, you will be studying the life of John the Baptist. What can be
learned from John the Baptist when we methodically study his life using the technique of
observation, interpretation, and application?
Step One - Observation
1
A. Select: Select a Character. For this assignment, you will be studying John the
Baptist.
B. Gather: Gather all the data. Find all of the Scriptures you can on John the Baptist.
List and summarize your findings by chapter. Summarize by verse if it contains
an observation crucial to the story.
Matthew:
John clears the path for Jesus (3:1-6): In the "wilderness of Judea," John preaches
repentance and the coming of the kingdom of God. He was baptizing all who came to
him in the Jordan river.
Religious authorities interrogate John (3:7-12): A group of church leaders interrogate
John. The people are curious about his identity and activities. He firmly corrects them
and then predicts the coming of the Messiah, who would baptize people in the Holy
Spirit.
John baptizes Jesus (3:13-17): John hesitates to baptize Jesus, but he does it as instructed
by his Master. When the Divine Spirit descended on Jesus "like a dove," he saw the
heavens part and the SpiritSpirit come to him. According to John, God the Father
announced that Jesus was his "beloved Son," with whom God was pleased.
John is locked up (4:12, 11:2): Although John is arrested, we don't learn much more
about the circumstances here.
John reaches out to Jesus through his disciples (11:1-6).; John then sends some of his
disciples to ask Jesus about the possibility that he is the promised Messiah. Jesus
commands his followers to spread the Word of his miraculous works: the sightless see,
the lame walk, the unclean are made clean, the deaf hear, the dead are resurrected, and
the impoverished are told the good news.
1
Hans Finzel. Unlocking the Scriptures: Three Steps to Personal Bible Study. Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture
Press Publications, 2003, pg. 147.
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Jesus's Explanation of John (11:7-19): Jesus describes who John is after John's followers
had left. Jesus calls John the Baptist the greatest of all those born of women, calling him
a prophet. He also states that John fulfills Malachi 3:1.
Death of John (14:1-12): This Gospel account details John's death. Herodias was Herod's
brother Philip's wife, and he married her. John declares categorically that this behavior is
illegal. Even though Herod planned to execute John, he was afraid of the people and
locked him up instead. Herodias's daughter danced at her Father's birthday party, and the
King was quite pleased. She could have anything she wanted; he swore to her. The
woman demanded her mother bring her John's severed head on a plate. King followed her
instructions. The followers of John buried him and told Jesus about it.
Mark:
John makes way for Jesus (1:1-8): According to Mark's Gospel, John the Baptist
introduces Christ at the start of His ministry on earth. Throughout "all the country of
Judea," John "preached" a "baptism of repentance," and he "proclaimed" the advent of the
Christ, who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.
John the Baptist baptizes Jesus (1:9-11): Jesus of Galilee was baptized by John the
Baptist in the River Jordan. Jesus is transfigured before John's eyes as he experiences the
"heavens split open," the "Spirit descending," and the Father's voice from above.
Death of John (6:14-29): Herod mistook Jesus for the resurrected John because of his
similar appearance. Several others shared this opinion. Herod had kidnapped John and cut
off his head. Herod first protected John, who recognized him as a "good and holy man" and
feared him. According to Mark, John spoke out against Herod after he wed Herodias, the
sister of Herod's brother Phillip. She harbored a deep-seated resentment for John and
sought his destruction. On the occasion of Herod the Great's Birth, he hosted a "banquet"
for his nobles, military chiefs, and Galilean elites. Herod's promise to grant Herodias's
daughter "up to half of his kingdom" came after she danced at the dinner and won over the
guests. After talking to her mum, the girl reportedly requested that John be beheaded. At
midnight, John's beheading was ordered. The girl took his head and presented it to her
mother. Herod felt remorse but did not want to back down in front of his guests. The
followers of John brought his body back and buried him.
Luke:
Birth foretold and family background (1:5-25): John's genealogy and early life are
detailed in Luke's Gospel. Mary's cousin Elizabeth is John's mother. She was "from the
daughters of Aaron," "advanced in years," and "barren." Her priest husband, Zechariah,
was also quite elderly.
There is a supernatural proclamation of John's Birth. God chose Zachariah to "burn
incense" before him. While the entire nation of Israel worshipped outside the temple, an
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"angel of the Lord" appeared to Zachariah. Terror seized him, and he couldn't think
straight. His prayers had been heard, and the angel informed him that his elderly,
childless wife would soon give birth to a son. He will be great before the Lord, the angel
of the Lord said, and many people will celebrate his birth. He will be filled with the Holy
Spirit from Birth, his name will be John, and he will not be able to drink alcohol. Many
of Israel's children would be converted to Christianity thanks to John, who would arrive
in the "spirit and power of Elijah."
Zechariah asked the angels of the Lord, "how shall I know this?" since he did not believe
him. Gabriel, "who stands in the presence of God," is the name given by the angel.
Zechariah was rendered speechless by the angel because of his lack of faith.
Those waiting outside the temple were getting worried about what could have held up
Zechariah. When he emerged speechless, they knew he had experienced a vision. Both he
and his partner went back to their residence. Elizabeth became pregnant and "hid" for five
months.
In the womb, John first encounters Jesus (1:39-56): During her pregnancy with Jesus,
Mary went to see her family. The angel Gabriel revealed to Mary that she would give
birth to the Messiah (1:35) and that her cousin Elizabeth was also expecting a child. Mary
hastened to Elizabeth and Zachariah, and the unborn John "leaped for joy" in Mary's
womb when they saw her. Elizabeth felt moved to worship God for Mary and the Son she
bore.
John's birth (1:57-66): As Elizabeth gave birth, her friends and family came to "rejoice"
in the goodness of God. John was circumcised on the eighth day, and his name was
originally supposed to honor his Father. Elizabeth repeated Gabriel's decree that her son
would be named John. Still unable to speak, Zachariah scribbled "His name is Joh" on a
tablet to communicate with the crowd. Soon after he was given the speech, he began
praising God and making predictions about how the Lord would use John.
Zacharia's foretelling of John's ministry (1:67-80): After receiving the Holy Spirit,
Zacharia began to prophesy that the "mercy promised" to Israel had arrived. John will be
a "prophet of the Highest" who "goes before the Almighty to prepare his ways," he says.
Because of "the compassionate mercy of our God," salvation and the remission of sins
are available now.
John prepares the way of the Lord (3:1-22): John received the divine Word while he was
out in the desert. In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar's rule, with Pontius Pilate as
governor of Judea, Herod as tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip as tetrarch of the
territory of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias as tetrarch of Abilene, and Annas and
Caiaphas as high priests, Jesus was crucified. John obeyed and went to preach repentance
and baptism for the forgiveness of sins in the Jordan Valley. In the Old Testament, Isaiah
foretold this very thing in 40:3-5. The ones with harsh hearts came to him to be rebuked,
and he baptized many of them. Having Abraham as a father is not enough, he says,
because God may make Abraham's descendants out of rocks. Many started to believe that
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John the Baptist was the Messiah after he urged them to live virtuously. John dispels this
rumor by explaining that he carries out baptisms using water, whereas the Messiah would
use the Holy Spirit. He brought the people hope and encouragement through his sermons.
John the Baptist baptizes Jesus (3:21-22): John baptizes Jesus, and the Holy Spirit came
down upon him in the form of a dove. The heavens parted to reveal a voice from above,
saying, "You are my most beloved Son; with you, I am very pleased."
John is jailed (3:19-20): John was sent to prison by Herod because he had condemned
Herod for all the wrongdoing he had done, including marrying his brother's wife.
John reaches out to Jesus through his disciple (7:18-23): To determine if Jesus "is the one
to come" or if they should "seek for another," John sent his followers to Jesus from
prison. Jesus tells the disciple everything that has happened and sends them back to John.
Christ's Explanation of John (7:24-35): When John's followers abandon Him, Jesus
begins identifying John to the multitude by referencing Malachi 3:1. When comparing
males born of women, Jesus says, "none is greater than John."
John:
The religious authorities interrogate John after he testifies about Jesus Christ (1:19-28):
According to John's Gospel, the "Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem" to
enquire about John's identity. John testifies that he is "neither the Christ," Elijah, or the
Prophet. By saying, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight
the way of the Lord,'" he verifies Isaiah's prophecy. He baptizes with water and modestly
admits that he is not "qualified to untie" the Messiah's sandal straps.
Jesus is baptized by John (1:29-37); John was baptized in "Bethany across the Jordan"
(1:28). Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John said the next
day upon seeing Jesus. Before this time, John acknowledges that he had no idea who the
Messiah was before this time. He baptizes Jesus, hears a voice from heaven, and sees the
Holy Spirit descend on Jesus as a dove. A group of John, the Baptist followers, abandons
him on the third day to join Jesus.
The Baptism of Repentance is what John does next (3:22-36): In "Aenon near Salim,"
John is still doing baptisms. In other words, he had not yet been incarcerated. There was a
debate between John's followers and the religious authorities of Israel. They enquire from
John as to whom he was testifying. According to John, he is "not the Christ," but rather
the "friend of the bridegroom" sent before the Lord to rejoice in His coming. John
rejoices that Christ's ministry is come and realizes he must "drop" so that Christ may
"grow."
Imprisonment (3:24: John had not yet been arrested.
Acts:
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Paul encounters John's followers (Acts 19:1-7): Many people follow John because of his
famous ministry. Several of John's followers are at Ephesus, and Paul meets them. These
followers of John had witnessed just his baptism, so they were unaware of the coming of
the Messiah.
Isaiah:
Prophecy of John preparing Jesus’ way (40:3-5)2
2
Fulfillment: Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:2
Malachi 3:1
When the time comes, God will send a "messenger" ahead of Himself to prepare things.
Scripture Reference: Matthew 11:10
C. Organize: Organize your findings. This organization should be built around as
many items as possible: Name, Birth, Family background, Early life and training,
Conversion, Historical setting, Geographical movements, Sin, Spiritual life,
Major Accomplishments, Death, and Major Lessons.
3
John the Baptist
Topic
Explanation and Context
Scripture Verse
Name
God named John.
Luke 1:13
The locals intended to call
the baby Zacharia after his
Dad, but his mum
intervened and insisted he
is given the name John
instead. Zachariah answers
the people's question about
the boy's name by writing,
"is John" on a tablet.
Luke 1:57-63
2
English Standard Version Holy Bible.
3
Hans Finzel. Unlocking the Scriptures: Three Steps to Personal Bible Study. Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture
Press Publications, 2003, pp. 133-134.
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Old Testament Prophecy
As predicted in Isaiah
40:3-5.
Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:2
As predicted in Malachi
3:1
Matthew 11:10
As predicted in Malachi
4:5
Matthew 11:14
Birth
Born in a manner that can
only be described as
miraculous
Luke 1:5-25, 1:57-80
Family history
A close family member of
Jesus
Luke 1:36
My parents were holy in
the eyes of the Lord, acting
following the law as it was
written in the Jewish
scriptures.
Luke 1:6
His Dad was a minister or
priest.
Luke 1:5, 8, 39
Levites, Abijah's tribe,
Aaron's subtribe
Luke 1:5
His early life
Anointed with the Holy
Spirit from Birth
Luke 1:15, 1:39-41
Food
Locusts and wild honey
Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6
Dressing
Belts made of camel hair
and leather.
Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6
His purpose
Prophet and more
Matthew 11:9-10
Prophet
Matthew 14:5
Prepare the way for Christ.
Matthew 3:1-6; Mark 1:1- 8;
Luke 3:1-22; John 1:23
Baptism for repentance
Acts 19:4
His character
Bold
Matthew 3:7-10, 14:4; Mark
6:18; Luke 3:7-15, 3:19-20
Full of humility
Matthew 3:11, 13; Mark 1:7;
Luke 3:16-18
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Obedient
Matthew 3:13-15; Luke 1:16
Doubtful
Matthew 6:20
Joyful
Luke 1:44
Righteous
Mark 6:20
Holy
Mark 6:20
Great in the eyes of the
Lord
Luke 1:15
Filled with the Holy Spirit
Luke 1:15
Spiritually Strong
Luke 1:80
Spoke truth
John 10:41
Conversion
The Lord's angel foretold
that John would be filled
with the Holy Spirit "from
the womb" before he was
born.
Luke 1:15
Place
Lived in the wilderness of
Judea
Matthew 3:1; Luke 1:80
Historical Setting
Originally conceived
during the reign of Judea's
King Herod
Luke 1:5
Ministry began in the 15th
year of Tiberius Caesar,
Pontius Pilate (governor of
Judea), Herod (tetrarch of
Galilee), Philip (tetrarch of
Ituraea, Trachonitis),
Lysanias (tetrarch of
Abilene), and the high
priests of Annas and
Caiaphas.
Luke 3:1-2
Geographical Movements
John's ministry ended the
Intertestamental Period
(400 years), where God
had been silent.
Malachi 4:6 - Mark 1:1 The last
book of the O.T. and the first
Gospel account is the
Intertestamental Period.
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Sin
John was a human and did
sin and had to repent. The
only sin listed in the Bible
is unbelief.
Matthew 6:20
John boldly preached
repentance and the
forgiveness of sin through
the Messiah who was to
come.
Matthew 3:11, 13; Mark 1:7;
Luke 3:16-18
His Spiritual Life
He fasted
Matthew 9:14-17; Mark 2:18;
Luke 5:33, John 1:35-37
Prayed
Luke 11:1
Prophet and more
Mathew 11:9-10
Jailed
John 3:24
Martyred
Matthew 14:1-21; Mark 6:14-29;
Luke 9:1-17
Baptism of repentance
disciplined many.
Acts 19:1-7
Major achievements
Prepared the way for the
Messiah
Matthew 3:1-6; Mark 1:1- 8;
Luke 3:1-22; John 3:28- 30
Baptized many in
repentance to prepare the
way of the Lord
Acts 19:1-7
Jesus' Statements About
John
No one greater born of
woman.
Matthew 11:11
He comes in the
SpiritSpirit of Elijah
Malachi 4:5; Matthew 11:14
His death
John is beheaded in prison,
at the request of Herodias'
daughter, under Hero.
Matthew 14:1-21; Mark 6:14-29;
Luke 9:1-17
Major Lessons
Jesus must increase, I must
decrease
John 3:25-36
Jesus is the Lamb of God
who takes away the world's
sins.
John 1:29
It is ok to have questions.
Take them to Jesus
Matthew 11:3; Luke 7:19
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D. Consult: Consult secondary sources. What do our various Bible study tools help
us understand about John the Baptist? Be sure that your sources are both
scholarly.
4
According to the Holman Illustrated Biblical Dictionary, the Hebrew name
Yohana has a Greek equivalent: John. John is a name that signifies "God is
generous."
5
. John the Baptist, a prophet from the priestly lineage, is characterized
by verse.
6
One who proclaimed the coming of the Messiah baptized Jesus and was
later executed by Herod.
7
John's ministry ran concurrently with Jesus's (John 3:22-
24; Mark 1:14).
8
Several Bible verses tell us that John and his followers fasted and
that he instructed them in prayer.
9
He was a fierce opponent of Herod and led a
simple life.
10
In Matthew 21:31–32, Mark 11:27–32, Luke 29–30, and John 10:41,
Jesus speaks highly of John, and the people seem to agree.
John understood "his role," as argued by Andreas Köstenberger.
11
He says
that John "in great humility" admits that he did not even know the Messiah (1:31,
33).
12
Upon realizing who the Messiah was, John proclaimed, "He must become
4
Hans Finzel. Unlocking the Scriptures: Three Steps to Personal Bible Study. Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture
Press Publications, 2003, pg. 149.
5
Chad Brand, Eric Alan Mitchell, and Trent C. Butler. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary: Revised and
Expanded. Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2009, pg. 910.
6
Gary M. Burge, and Andrew E. Hill. Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary. Baker Publishing Group, 2012.
7
Chad Brand, Eric Alan Mitchell, and Trent C. Butler. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary: Revised and
Expanded. Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2009, pg. 912.
8
Ibid., pg. 912.
9
Ibid., pg. 912.
10
Ibid., pg. 912.
11
Andreas J Kostenberger. Encountering John: The Gospel in historical, literary, and theological
perspective. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing Group, 1999, 2013, pg. 53.
12
Ibid., pg. 53.
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greater; I must become less" (John 3:30), clearing the way for the one whose
mission he had come to prepare.
13
The genuine beginning of the Gospel account can be found in Luke 3:1,
with its historical introduction (cf. Acts 10:37)
14
. There were fourteen years, from
A.D. 14 to A.D. 37
15
, during which Tiberius was emperor. There were various
methods of determining a person's age in ancient times,
16
thus the claim that it is
the fifteenth year of Tiberius (3:1) isn't ironclad. 16 AD 28/29 is one possibility;
AD 26/27 is also plausible. From 26 to 36, Pontius Pilate served as prefect (the
proper technical name for ruler) of Judea
17
. In verse 17, "Herod the tetrarch of
Galilee" refers to Herod Antipas, who ruled over Galilee and Perea from 4 B.C. to
A.D. 39
18
. Herod the Great ruled over the region from 4 BC to 4 BC. 18 The Herod
mentioned in the rest of the Gospel is Antipas, the son of Herod the Great
19
. 19
From 4 B.C. to A.D. 34, Philip, another son of Herod the Great, was King.
20
The
history of Lysanias is little understood.
21
One person could only hold Israel's high
priest at a time (3:2).
22
From 6–15 AD, Annas served as a high priest; from 18–36 A.D., Caiaphas
did.
23
As Caiaphas was Annas' son-in-law, Luke did not make a clear distinction
between them; as a result, Annas continued to wield considerable power even while
Caiaphas was a high priest.
24
John, the Baptist's baptism, is the historical event that
Luke is situating.
25
John does most of his ministry out in the wilderness (3:2), not
far from the Jordan
26
. Around this time, he began to preach "a baptism of repentance
13
Ibid., pg. 54
14
Gary M. Burge, and Andrew E. Hill. Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary. Baker Publishing Group,
2012.
15
Ibid.
16
Gary M. Burge, and Andrew E. Hill. Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary. Baker Publishing Group, 2012
17
Ibid
18
Ibid
19
Ibid
20
Ibid
21
Ibid
22
Ibid
23
Ibid
24
Ibid
25
Ibid
26
Ibid
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for the remission of sins" (3:3).
27
This was more than just a ceremonial cleansing;
it signified a decisive rejection of sin in one's life.
28
According to Luke, Isaiah 40:3-
5 are realized in John's ministry.
29
For Israel to reach the Promised Land, a "new
exodus" was required, as foretold by Isaiah.
30
Israel, spiritually speaking, had to
leave the desert, cross the Jordan River, and enter the Land of Promise.
31
To
get everyone ready for God's salvation, John serves as the bridge between the
ancient and new testaments (cf. Luke 16:16).
32
Verses 7–18 can be divided into three subsections: John preaches on (1)
eschatology (3:7–9), (2) ethics (3:10–14), and (3) the Messiah (3:15–17).
33
In
verses 7–9, John warns that baptism without a lifestyle change is worthless.
34
Neither can the Jews rely on their heritage, for being a child of Abraham does not
matter if one does not partake of the character of Abraham.
35
John’s ominous
reference to “the coming wrath” confirms these warnings, for the ax of judgment is
ready to fall.
36
What is the “good fruit” (3:9) one should produce before judgment
falls?
37
In verses 10–14, Luke gives us a sample of John's ethical teaching.
38
John
does not call people to imitate his ascetic lifestyle or upset the existing social order,
for he does not ask tax collectors or soldiers to leave their present jobs.
39
Instead,
he counsels those in these professions to be honest and content with their wages.40
40
The soldiers described here are probably not Romans but the soldiers of Herod.
Ordinary people are counseled to share their food and clothing with others (3:10).
41
John’s preaching on imminent judgment and his powerful ethical message stimulate
27
Ibid
28
Ibid
29
Ibid
30
Ibid
31
Gary M. Burge, and Andrew E. Hill. Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary. Baker Publishing Group, 2012
32
Ibid
33
Ibid.
34
Ibid.
35
Ibid.
36
Ibid.
37
Ibid.
38
Ibid.
39
Ibid.
40
Ibid.
41
Ibid.
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the people to consider whether or not he is the Messiah (3:15).
42
John clearly shows
that he is not the Messiah for the following reasons: (1) one is coming who is "more
powerful" (3:16) than John; (2) John is not even worthy to untie the thongs of his
sandals, a task that non-Jewish enslaved people in Palestine usually performed; (3)
John's baptism is only in water, but the coming one "will baptize … with the Holy
Spirit and fire." Luke is thinking of the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:1–
4), and the reference to fire may refer either to refining the righteous or to judgment
on the recalcitrant (3:17).
43
Since Luke wants to focus on Jesus, he completes the
story of the Baptist’s ministry here and briefly relates the story of his imprisonment.
Luke will return to the Baptist again for other reasons (cf. 7:18–35; 16:16).
44
E. Determine: Choose a primary passage. Choose one passage that best summarizes
the life of John the Baptist. Provide a detailed and thorough rationale for this
determination.
45
John 1:19—23
This is the witness of John, who says that the Jews dispatched priests and Levites
from Jerusalem to interrogate him, asking, "Who are you?" He admitted, "I am not the
Christ," and didn't try to backtrack. What then?' they questioned. Do I recognize you as
the Prophet Elijah? Then he answered, "I am not." Are you the Prophet? And his
response was a firm "No." So, they asked him, "Who are you? They sent us; therefore, we
must respond. How would you describe yourself? As the Prophet Isaiah put it, "I am the
voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord.'"
To me, that Bible verse says all about the ministry of John the Baptist. This
exemplifies both his modesty and his divine calling. Hans Finzel argues that "we can
learn a great deal about our problems" by studying and "looking at how God acted in the
42
Ibid.
43
Ibid.
44
Gary M. Burge, and Andrew E. Hill. Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary. Baker Publishing Group,
2012.
45
Hans Finzel. Unlocking the Scriptures: Three Steps to Personal Bible Study. Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture
Press Publications, 2003, pp. 141, 149.
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lives of people in the Bible."
46
John was God's Prophet in the mold of Elijah (Malachi
4:5, Matthew 11:14; Luke 1:17), who preached repentance and "made straight the road of
the Lord" for the children of Israel (John 1:23). Just like Jesus, he did not cower in the
face of opposition from the religious authorities of his day (Matthew 3:12–14:5; Mark
6:17–20; Luke 3:12–20; John 3:25). His denial of being the Messiah is confirmed by the
facts (John 5:36). In Christ, John had no doubts about his identity. His mission was to
proclaim Jesus as the promised Messiah. To see how God used him to lead others to
Christ is instructive.
Step Two: Interpretation
47
A. State the teaching principles. Ask yourself, “What does the life of John the Baptist
have to say that is useful for Christian living and the church in general?" List and
explain at least five principles you can draw from your study of John the Baptist.
Be sure to use the secondary academic sources you worked with in the previous
consultation section to develop your explanations fully.
Obedience:
John was obedient to God (Matthew 3:5-6, 11:11; Mark 1:4-5; Luke 7:28; John 1:7, 3:23,
10:40). He knew his purpose and obediently fulfilled his role (Matthew 3:1-3, 3:13-17;
Mark 1:1-3, 6:23-28; Luke 3:3-4; John 1:19- 23).
Humility:
John knew he could not save anyone since he was not the Messiah (Mark 1:7-8; John 1:6-
8, 1:15). (Mark 1:7; Luke 3:16). Rather than trying to save everyone, he sent them to the
One who really could. Matthew 3:4, 11:18; Mark 1:6; Luke 7:24-25, and 7:33 all attest to
John's lowly character. According to the Bible, God does not pass judgment as humans
do (John 7:24; James 21:13).
It's normal to wonder and even be skeptical sometimes; take those thoughts to Jesus:
John struggled to believe that Jesus was the Messiah while locked up. Concerned, he
questioned Jesus (Luke 7:18-23).
Bold:
Including Herod, John spoke out forcefully against sin, so he was put in jail (Matthew
14:3-5; Mark 6:17-20; Luke 3:19-20). They repented at his call, and he made his people
pay for their wrongdoing (Matthew 3:7-12; Luke 3:7-17; John 3:25).
Spread the Gospel:
46
Ibid., 146
47
Hans Finzel. Unlocking the Scriptures: Three Steps to Personal Bible Study. Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture
Press Publications, 2003, pg. 149.
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Throughout his ministry, John guided people towards Jesus (John 1:29–37, 3:27–30, and
10:41; Matthew 3:1; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3). The goal of his action (Isaiah 40:3-5; Malachi
3:1, 4:5).
B. State your conclusions. Taking the main point of what you have learned, write a
concluding statement of interpretation that summarizes the central teaching of the
person. In other words, in light of your findings, what do you think is the primary
teaching point in the life of John the Baptist?
The central message was that Jesus is the promised Messiah and the atoning
Lamb of God who can forgive the world's sins by His words (John 1:29). Everything that
had happened to John up to that moment went in this direction. John was a God-fearing
man who led a simple life of obedience and consistently pointed others toward the
coming Messiah. At all costs, I need to follow suit.
Step Three - Application
48
A. State and explain five application principles from your study of John the Baptist.
They may be related to the principles you listed earlier in this exercise as
“teaching principles.” Try to personalize them. You may use the structure of the
four relationships of life to structure your application principles.
a. Obedience: The most important virtue a Christian can have been
obedience to God. That's the best we can do as a sacrifice to the Lord.
Even while we all make mistakes—John included—we can repent, and
God is loyal and forgives us when we do (Luke 7:18–23). (1 John 1:9).
b. Humility: In contrast, God favors the humble (Psalm 138:6) and punishes
the proud (1 Peter 5:5). Like John, we need to grasp who we are and why
we're here firmly. No, we can't save everyone; instead, we must direct
their attention to the One who can.
c. It's normal to wonder and even be skeptical sometimes; take those
thoughts to Jesus: To be sure, John had concerns and uncertainties; he was
just human. Sometimes, we all need one of those. The most important
thing is having someone to confide in when we have concerns. Seek Jesus'
confirmation of the truth we need, and He will provide it. The truth of the
Gospel must be spoken in love (Ephesians 4:15), and we must likewise be
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Hans Finzel. Unlocking the Scriptures: Three Steps to Personal Bible Study. Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture
Press Publications, 2003, pp. 144-154, 149.
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willing to accept the truth and rebuttal of others whom God has entrusted
with our life.
d. Bold: John was imprisoned for his outspoken condemnation of sin, which
attracted the attention of several governments, including Herod's (Matthew
14:3-5; Mark 6:17-20; Luke 3:19-20). They changed their ways in
response to his appeal, and he punished his people severely (Matthew 3:7-
12; Luke 3:7-17; John 3:25).
e. Spread the Gospel: Unlike John, we have not been tasked with preparing
the way for the Lord, but we have been tasked with completing the Great
Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). We are responsible for sharing the
Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who do not know Him.
B. What one action can you take this week to apply one of these principles? Be
detailed and specific. Remember, this should not be so general. It could fit with
any number of Biblical characters. Specifically, connect this action to your study
of John the Baptist.
I understand that doubts and questions are usually the first steps I can take. Over
the years, I have heard and read many things about John the Baptist, but this is the first
time anyone has brought up this topic. Though Jesus called him "better than those born of
woman" (Matthew 11:11; Luke 7:28), even he struggled with questions, concerns, and
misgivings. That is a normal human emotion. These are concerns I need to bring to God.
The only One who can give me the truth is He. I need to take my inquiries to the pages of
the Bible. The Bible is God's way of communicating with humanity.
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Bibliography
Brand, Chad, Eric Alan Mitchell, and Trent C. Butler, Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary:
Revised and Expanded. Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2009.
Burge, Gary M., and Andrew E. Hill. Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary. Baker
Publishing Group, 2012
