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Charges > People > Saints > St. John Baptist

Saint John the Baptist (died c. 30) was a Jewish preacher and ascetic. He drew large crowds on the banks of the Jordan River, demanding from them repentance and baptism in view of the imminent coming of the Kingdom of God. Jesus was one of those whom he baptized. He was killed by Herod Ántipas, whom he had denounced for his (incestuous) marriage.Jesus' own ministry followed John's, and some of Jesus' early followers had been followers of John. John, like Jesus, preached at a time of political, social, and religious conflict, and he prophesied that fire was coming to destroy the wicked.

Herod's stepdaughter, to whom the name Salome was later attributed, is said in Matthew 14:8 and Mark 6:25 to have asked him for John's head on a platter, and the presentation of his severed head often appears in arms. Another theme is his beheading, which is mentioned not only in these two gospels, but also in Luke 9:9 . He is also depicted as an ascetic wearing camel hair and with a staff and scroll inscribed "Ecce Agnus Dei" (Latin, "Behold the Lamb of God" - John 1:29 ) or bearing a book or dish with a lamb on it.

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