Martydom of John the Baptist - 29 August

Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
27 Aug 2010

John the Baptist is a key figure in the Gospels. His life was an example of honesty and truth, to the point of costing his own life. His message, pointing to the Christ, caused great anticipation for many and great anger from others, until his execution.

John was born to Jewish parents, Zacharias and Elizabeth, who were of a priestly family. Though wanting a child, they were both elderly and Elizabeth was barren. One day, whilst going about his priestly duties, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and informed him his wife will give birth to a son and his name would be John. The angel told him this son would be instrumental in bringing Israel "back to the Lord their God". Zacharias questioned the angel and because of his lack of faith, would not be able to speak until his son was born.

John was a man of the wild. He wore clothes made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. He lived as a hermit in the desert of Judea and ate locusts and wild honey, food typically consumed by the poorer in his society. When he was thirty, he began to preach on the banks of the Jordan against the evils of the times and called men to penance and baptism "for the Kingdom of Heaven is close at hand". John's message caused much controversy among the Jews, especially the priests. They interrogated him, asking if he was the Christ or a prophet. He denied and replied "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way for the Lord.". They pushed him further asking him why he baptises if he's not the Christ. "I baptize with water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie."

John baptised Jesus, and as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in bodily form like a dove. A voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

At the time, Herod, a wicked and egotistical king was ruler. Despite this, he had interest in John's message and heard him on many occasions. That kindly disposition was not entertained by Herodias, who John condemned for leaving her husband (Herod's brother) to marry Herod. She "set herself against [John], and desired to kill him", but she was impeded for a while by the restraint of the king. Herod did, however, at her behest, imprison John in his fortress at Machaerus, in that region east of the Dead Sea. Herodias would have to wait for the ideal opportunity to instigate the prophet's murder.

While John was in prison, he heard of the activity of Jesus. He sent some of his own disciples to the Lord, asking this question: "Are you he that comes, or should we look for another?"

Jesus sent a return message. "Go and tell John what you see and hear," i.e., my message and miracles. But why would John ask such a question? There are a couple of possibilities.

First, John may have had some difficulty in harmonising the kind and gracious ministry of Jesus with the harshness of the earlier message that the prophet himself had preached. On the other hand, as with most other Hebrews, John may have entertained the notion that the Messiah would establish a political regime, rather similar to David's kingdom of Old Testament fame.

When John heard more about the passive nature of Jesus' ministry, i.e., its non-political, benevolent thrust, he may have felt compelled to voice his confusion. And so, would there be "another" Messiah who would function in a different capacity?

The Lord assured John that his works authenticated his ministry as divine. Incidentally, this honest revelation of John's doubt is powerful testimony to the integrity of the biblical record. No forger would have included such a detail. Nonetheless, the balance of Matthew's narrative reinforces the integrity of John in spite of the prophet's momentary confusion.

And so John remained in prison, and Herodias waited for her chance to "get" him. The queen had a daughter, Salome, by her previous husband. Accordingly, on a "convenient day," Herod's birthday, a party was arranged, and the wicked queen sacrificed the "virtue" of her daughter, who may have been as vile as her mother. At any rate, the temptress danced.

Herod was so "pleased" that he offered the damsel whatever she wanted - up to the half of his kingdom. She immediately consulted with her corrupt mother, and the request was made: "Give me the head of John the Baptiser on a platter". The king was "exceeding sorry" at this vicious petition. Immediately Herod had John executed, having his head brought into the festivities as a bloody souvenir.

Though John's life was short, it was not before he had proclaimed the coming of Christ and preparing many to receive him.

His feast day is June 24th and the feast for his beheading is 29th August.