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The name John means- hath been gracious or God is gracious. His parents were old and his
mother was past the age of conception (Luke 1:7). He was a child of promise because God sent an
angel with His promise, ...thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou
shalt call his name John" (Luke 1:13). His mother Elisabeth was a kinswoman of Mary, who was
the mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ (Luke 1:36).
John was a Nazarite from birth and developed great strength as he communed with God
(Luke 1:15; Numbers 6:2-4). Even though he did not live a long life, it was indeed a meaningful
one. As we shall see, he was a plain, yet powerful man of God.
1. John the Baptist was the son of Elisabeth and Zacharias (Luke 1:5, 13).
2. John the Baptist was about six months old when Jesus was born (Luke 1:36).
3. John the Baptist leaped at the mere mention of the name of Jesus (Luke 1:41).
4. John the Baptist was named by God and an angel told Zacharias (Luke 1:13, 60, 63).
5. John the Baptist was the "Forerunner" of Christ (Malachi 3:1, Matthew 11:10).
6. John the Baptist wore simple clothes and ate simple foods (Matthew 3:4, Lev. 11:22).
7. John the Baptist had a great zeal for God which blessed others (John 5:35).
8. John the Baptist baptized many people, including Jesus (Matthew 3:6, 15).
9. John the Baptist gave testimony of Christ (John 1:29, 36; John 3:28, 30).
10. John the Baptist never performed any miracles (John 10:41).
11. John the Baptist was the pivotal point from the Law to Grace (Luke 16:16).
12. John the Baptist was called greatest among those born of women (Matthew 11:11).
Conclusion
He was a man of the desert and knew well the life of self-denial (Matthew 3:4). Though men
may have perceived him as somewhat of an unusual man, his work was in many ways akin to that
of Elijah (Malachi 4:5-6; Matthew 11:14). He manifested many noble traits that pleased God, such
as: Self-denial (Matthew 3:4; Matthew 16:24), courage (Matthew 3:7; Matthew 14:4), humility
(Mark 1:7; Philippians 2:8), and holiness (Mark 6:20; 1 Peter 1:16). As you read these companion
scriptures, it should be clearly evident that his life and conduct was in keeping with the will of God.
May we all strive to live as did John the Baptist, doing the will of God from the heart.
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