SaintJeanBaptiste

Saint Jean-Baptiste, known in English as John the Baptist, is a prominent figure in the Christian New Testament and in Islamic tradition as Yahya. He is venerated as a prophet and as the forerunner of Jesus of Nazareth, preparing the way for the public ministry of Christ.

According to the Gospel of Luke, he was the son of Zechariah, a priest, and Elizabeth. His birth was announced by an angel, and he grew up in the wilderness of Judea. Described in biblical tradition as wearing camel hair and eating locusts and wild honey, he preached in the Jordan River valley and called for repentance in anticipation of God’s coming kingdom.

John’s central message was baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins and a call to ethical reform. He directed people to bear fruit worthy of repentance and to prepare for the coming one, whom he proclaimed as the one who would baptize with the Holy Spirit.

A defining moment in Christian tradition is his baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, during which Jesus’ identity and mission were publicly affirmed. John is regarded as the precursor to Jesus, recognizing him as the Messiah and directing attention to his coming ministry.

John the Baptist was imprisoned and executed by order of Herod Antipas, traditionally by beheading at Machaerus following a request from Herodias’ daughter Salome.

In Christian liturgy and art, Saint Jean-Baptiste is celebrated for his role as a forerunner and reformer. His feast is observed on June 24 in Western Christianity, and he is recognized in various Christian and Islamic traditions for his prophetic significance.