“There Is No One Greater”

FOR centuries, Jehovah had not sent any prophets to counsel his people. Suddenly, though, God caused a man named John to speak out. He lived alone in the wilderness of Judea, a barren, rocky place where snakes, scorpions, large predators, and bandits lived. John had the courage not only to live there but also to preach a bold message.

John’s parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth, must have told him what God’s angel had said about him. So John surely understood that he was to be a zealous prophet like Elijah, a Nazirite like Samuel, and a forerunner of someone far greater than himself. At 30 years of age, John would have been eligible to become a priest like his father. Instead, he began to call the people to repent. He became the long-foretold “voice . . . crying out in the wilderness.” He preached about “the Kingdom of the heavens” with such conviction that people flocked from their towns and cities to hear him. As directed from heaven, he baptized in water those who repented of their sins. He also called out judgment, fearlessly exposing the hypocrisy of the powerful religious leaders​—the Sadducees and the Pharisees.

John did not let his assignment puff him up with pride. Instead, he humbly proclaimed that he was only the forerunner of a much greater man to come after him. John said that he was not even fit to untie the sandals of that one. When he baptized Jesus, John heard Jehovah’s own voice proclaiming: “This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.” And some time later, after Jesus was tempted by Satan, John openly called out: “See, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

Humbly, John urged his own followers to turn to Jesus. Many of them did so, including Andrew the brother of Peter and likely John the son of Zebedee. Both later became apostles of Christ. For a time, Jesus’ ministry and that of John ran in parallel, both of them directing people to get baptized in symbol of repentance. When John was told that Jesus’ disciples were baptizing more people than he was, John did not take offense. On the contrary, he humbly acknowledged: “That one must keep on increasing, but I must keep on decreasing.”

John boldly corrected powerful men with his honest message. Herod Antipas, a ruler who claimed to be a faithful Jewish proselyte, was unlawfully married to Herodias, the wife of his half brother. John summoned the courage to denounce that immorality. Herod imprisoned John, but that was not enough for Herodias. She wanted the man dead.

While in prison, John reached out to Jesus for encouragement. He sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus: “Are you the Coming One, or are we to expect a different one?” Jesus sent back a thrilling reply: “The blind are now seeing, . . . the deaf are hearing, the dead are being raised up.” Though John was a prophet like Elijah, he had never been empowered to perform miracles. In his dark prison cell, he surely found comfort in knowing that he had helped to pave the way for Jesus, who was now performing such marvelous works.

Before long, though, Herodias had her revenge. Her daughter danced for Herod, and he offered to reward her with any gift she wanted. Herodias persuaded the girl to ask for the head of John the Baptist. The cowardly ruler was dismayed, but he had John put to death. Down to the end, John’s courage never failed.

Jesus said of this man: “I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John.” No imperfect human​—not even such prophets as Moses or Elijah—​had the privilege of being the foretold “voice . . . in the wilderness” who prepared the way for the Messiah. And his courage has inspired Christians down to this day.

Read the Bible account:

• Matthew 3:1-17

• Mark 6:14-29

• Luke 7:18-28

• John 1:6-8, 15, 19-37; 3:25-30

For discussion:

In what ways did John the Baptist show courage?

Dig Deeper

1. 1. How were John the Baptist and Jesus related? (w10 9/1 15 ¶4-6)

   Your answer

2. 2. What did the first-century historian Flavius Josephus write regarding the existence of John the Baptist? (mrt article 14) A

   Your answer

   

3. 3. In what way did John go “with Elijah’s spirit and power”? (Luke 1:17; it “Spirit” ¶60) B

   Your answer

   

4. 4. What shows that John was not resurrected to heaven? (Matt. 11:11; ijwbq article 178 ¶4)

   Your answer

Reflect on the Lessons

• Although John fulfilled Bible prophecy and prepared the way for the Messiah, he remained modest. (John 1:26, 27) What can we learn from him?

  Your answer

• John lived a simple life, completely devoted to doing God’s will. (Matt. 3:4) What can help us to live a simple life today? C

  Your answer

  

• How might you imitate the courage of John the Baptist?

  Your answer

Meditate on the Bigger Picture

• What does this account teach me about Jehovah?

  Your answer

• How does the account tie in with Jehovah’s purposes?

  Your answer

• In the resurrection, what would I like to ask John the Baptist?

  Your answer

Learn More

Learn how John endured with joy and patience.

“John the Baptist​—A Lesson in Maintaining Joy” (w19.08 29-31)

How can John’s example help us endure persecution, economic difficulties, and personal disappointment?

Learn From Them​—John the Baptist (6:58)