25 Details About John the Baptist - 'A' to 'Z' Quiz

Answer: Andrew

The correct answer is Andrew. Prior to becoming one of the Twelve Disciples of Jesus, Andrew served as a disciple of John the Baptist.

John 1:35-40, in the NKJV, states: "Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, 'Behold the Lamb of God!' The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, 'What do you seek?' They said to Him, 'Rabbi' (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), 'where are You staying?' He said to them, 'Come and see.' They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour). One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother."

Andrew, according to John 1:44, was from Bethsaida, a fishing community on the Sea of Galilee. After becoming a disciple of Jesus, his life would never be the same again.

Answer: No

No. There is no account in Scripture about John the Baptist being baptized. To suggest he was baptized would be pure speculation.

The Website Thywordstruth.com offers this information as to why John was not baptized: "John was the divinely appointed forerunner of Christ. (Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6; Matthew 10:17-13) His baptism was from God. (Matthew 21:24-26) There is no reason to believe that the divinely prophesied and appointed forerunner needed to receive the baptism that he was sent to administer."

Scripture, however, leaves little doubt that John baptized a large number of people. Matthew 3:5-6, in the NKJV, tells of the multitudes coming to John to be baptized: "Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins."

The account of Jesus being baptized by John appears in Matthew 3:13-17.

Answer: He was clothed in camel hair.

According to Scripture, John the Baptist wore clothes made out of camel hair. Matthew 3:4, in the NKJV, states: "Now John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist." I imagine John must've done a lot of sweating beneath the Mediterranean sun as I don't envision clothes made out of camel hair to be ideal for hot weather.

Answer: Herod and Herodias

According to Scripture, Herodias had left her first husband and married his half brother Herod and John denounced the union, as per Mark 6:18. Verse 19 goes on to state Herodias "held it against" John the Baptist and "wanted to kill him."

Herodias was conniving and vindictive and she would be ultimately successful in bringing about the demise of John. But I'll save the details for another question.

Answer: Elizabeth

Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist even though she and her husband were both "well advanced in years", according to the first chapter of Luke. Luke 1:5 states Elizabeth was a descendant of Aaron. Meanwhile, Luke 1:39-45 tells of Elizabeth meeting with Mary, the teenage girl who, while still a virgin, was pregnant with Jesus. Elizabeth and Mary were relatives and their offspring would change the course of history.

Answer: 0

John the Baptist was a 'miracle baby', born to his parents who were "well advanced in years", according to Scripture. There is no mention in the New Testament about a second miracle baby for his parents. The answer to this question is, going by Scripture, John was an only child and didn't have a brother or a sister.

Incidentally, Luke 15:7 does not mention anything about John the Baptist's family. The verse quotes Jesus as stating, "there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance."

Answer: Gabriel

Gabriel is the correct answer. When Gabriel announced the news to John the Baptist's father Zecharias of the impending birth, he was filled with doubt.

Luke 1:18-20, in the NKJV, states: "And Zacharias said to the angel, 'How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.' And the angel answered and said to him, 'I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time."

Zecharias would regain his ability to speak when John was born and officially named. (Luke 1:59-66)

Meanwhile, Luke 1:26-38, tells of Gabriel visiting Mary, a young teenager, to announce she would give birth to Christ while still a virgin.

Answer: Herodias

Herodias is the correct answer. Anyway you look at it, Herodias was downright despicable.

She was successful in getting her daughter to request John the Baptist's head on a platter. When her daughter's request was fulfilled, Herodias had removed a hated adversary from the scene. According to Scripture, Herodias had left her first husband and married his half brother and John denounced the union.

Matthew 14:6-12 reports Herod hosted a lavish birthday party for himself and when Herodias' daughter, who is not named, danced at the reception, Herod was so pleased he told the girl he would give her whatever she asked for. Verse 8, in the NKJV Bible, states: "So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, 'Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter'."

Verse 11 goes on to tell of this macabre scene: "And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother."

It boggles the mind a mother would make such a request of her daughter. At the same time, it's hard to believe Herodias' daughter would fulfill her diabolical wishes.

Answer: True

True. John the Baptist quoted Isaiah 40:3 when he addressed people in the wilderness of Judea.

Matthew 3:1-3 states: "In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!' For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
'The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the LORD;
Make His paths straight'."

Many Christians believe John the Baptist is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy about the coming of the Messiah, or Jesus Christ.

Answer: Jordan River

If the Bible used street slang, the Jordan River would be John the Baptist's office. According to Scripture, Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, as well as scores of other people.

Matthew 3:5-6, in the NKJV, tells of the multitudes coming to John to be baptized: "Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins."

The account of Jesus being baptized appears in Matthew Matthew 3:13-17. Initially John didn't want to baptize Jesus, indicating he was not worthy of doing such a thing for Christ. The verses state: "Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, 'I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?' But Jesus answered and said to him, 'Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.' Then he allowed Him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased'."

According to Wikipedia, the Jordan River is 251 kilometres (156 miles) long and empties into the Dead Sea.

Answer: If Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

While in prison, Scripture states John the Baptist sent two of his disciples to find out if Jesus was indeed the Christ. John had been tossed into prison by Herod largely because he had provoked Herod's wife Herodias by denouncing the couple's marriage. According to Scripture, Herodias had left her first husband and married his half brother and John condemned the union.

The account of John sending his disciples to question Jesus is told in Matthew 11:1-5. Here's how it reads in the NKJV:
"Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, 'Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?' Jesus answered and said to them, 'Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me'."

A similar account in Luke 7:21 states that Jesus performed a number of miracles in front of John's messengers. The verse states: "And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight."

In Luke 7:27, Jesus goes on to state John the Baptist was fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and quotes Malachi 3:1 which states: "Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You."

Answer: Locusts

It might be difficult for some to fathom, but locusts accounted for a major part of John the Baptist's diet, as per Matthew 3:4. Notes in the NIV Study Bible state "a man living in the desert did not hesitate to eat insects, and locusts were among the clean foods (Leveticus 11:21-22)."

The notes go on to state John's simple food, clothing and lifestyle were "a visual protest against self indulgence."

Answer: Machaerus

Although there is no specific mention in the Bible, theologians believe John the Baptist was imprisoned in Machaerus. The information about John the Baptist being imprisoned in Machaerus is contained in the reports of Josephus, a first century Jewish historian. According to Wikipedia, Machaerus was a fortress and is now located in Jordan, about fifteen miles southeast of the mouth of the Jordan River.

Answer: An angel

The angel Gabriel announced the name for John.

Luke 1:11-14, in the NKJV, states: "Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, 'Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John'."

Luke 1:59 states the infant was circumcised on the eighth day "and they would have called him by the name of his father, Zacharias." However, Scripture goes on to tell of Elizabeth saying the infant is to be called John and Zecharias confirming the name the angel had told him.

Answer: Decapitated

John the Baptist was ordered decapitated by Herod and his head was displayed on a platter by the daughter of his wife. The scene is as macabre as they come in the Bible, and that's saying a mouthful.

As stated in the answer to Question No. 8, Herodias was successful in getting her daughter to request John the Baptist's head on a platter. When her daughter's request was fulfilled, Herodias had removed a hated adversary from the scene. According to Scripture, Herodias had left her first husband and married his half brother and John denounced the union.

Matthew 14:6-12 reports Herod hosted a lavish birthday party for himself and when Herodias' daughter, who is not named, danced at the reception, Herod was so pleased he told the girl he would give her whatever she asked for. Verse 8, in the NKJV Bible, states: "So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, 'Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter'."

Verse 11 goes on to tell of this macabre scene: "And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother."

Scripture goes on to state the disciples of John the Baptist came and got his body and buried him.

Answer: False

The answer is false. There is no record in Scripture of John the Baptist teaching in parables. Yes, it's possible he used parables, but going strictly by Scripture, the answer to this question has to be false. What's more, there is no Mark 17:44. The Gospel of Mark ends at Chapter 16, Verse 20.

Answer: False

There is no genealogy of John the Baptist in the new Testament. In fact, there is no genealogy of anyone in the Gospel of John. The only genealogies in the New Testament appear in Matthew and Luke and they both refer to Jesus Christ.

What's more, there is no Matthew 31:4-11. The Gospel ends at Chapter 28, Verse 20.

Answer: repentance

The missing word is repentance. The word repentance played a major role in John the Baptist's ministry. According to Scripture, a large number of people repented of their sins and were baptized by John in the Jordan River. However, the Pharisees and Sadducees apparently saw no need to repent and they infuriated John with their self righteousness.

Answer: Salim

According to John 3:23, Aeon was near Salim. The verse states John conducted his ministry in that area "because there was much water there." Notes in the NKJV Study Bible indicate Aenon and Salim were both on the Jordan River.

In John 3:36, John the Baptist also states: "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."

Answer: John

John the Baptist is described as a witness of the True Light in the Gospel of John.

John 1:6-13, in the NKJV, states:
"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the True Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

The passage appears immediately after John 1:1-5. The famous introduction to the Gospel of John states: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it."

Answer: Unwavering

John the Baptist was unwavering. Despite hostility from the Pharisees and Sadducees as well as imprisonment, followed by execution, he refused to back down on his claim that he was sent to prepare the way for the Messiah.

Scripture states he lived in the desert, wore camel hair and a leather belt and ate locusts and wild honey. With this being the case, I strongly suspect a word that starts with 'U' that could be used to describe John's appearance would be 'unkempt'.

Answer: Pharisees and Sadducees

John the Baptist had no use for the Pharisees and the Sadducees. There were a number of reasons John didn't like them, but going by Matthew 3:7-12 he was deeply concerned the Pharisees and the Sadducees saw no need for repentance and to "bear fruit".

Matthew 3:7-12 in the NKJV states: "But when he [John the Baptist] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, 'Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire'."

Incidentally, Jesus also used the term 'brood of vipers' when addressing the Pharisees and Sadducees. See Matthew 12:34 and Matthew 23:33.

Answer: One of his favorite food items.

According to Matthew 3:4, John basically lived on locusts and wild honey. His diet is mentioned in passing reference and no further details are available. As stated in the answer to Question 12, notes in the NIV Study Bible state John's simple food, clothing and lifestyle were "a visual protest against self indulgence."

Answer: Jesus

Jesus was the younger of the couple who are generally perceived to be cousins. According to Luke 1:26:31, Elizabeth was six months pregnant with John the Baptist when Jesus was conceived.

Luke 1:26-31, in the NKJV, states: "Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, 'Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!' But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus'."

The passage follows Scripture telling of an angel proclaiming the birth of John the Baptist.

Answer: Zecharias

According to Scripture, Zecharias, who is also known as Zechariah in the NIV, was rendered speechless by an angel until John the Baptist was born. Scripture states Zecharias was a priest who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah and his wife was also a descendant of Aaron, as per Luke 1:5.

Luke 1:11-25 tells of the angel Gabriel appearing before Zecharias and telling him of the upcoming birth of their son, who would become John the Baptist. When Zecharias doubted Gabriel's claims, he was rendered speechless as per Luke 1:20.

There's a happy ending to the story, however. After the baby was born, Zecharias wrote on a tablet that the infant was to be called John and, according to verse 64, "immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he spoke, praising God."