JOHN THE BAPTIST

According to the Gospel of Luke, around 28 AD, John the Baptist began his ministry of preaching and baptizing by the Jordan River, which marked the western edge of Herod Antipas’ territory of Perea. John condemned Herod’s marriage to Herodias as incestuous and contrary to Jewish law, since Herodias was both Herod’s niece and his brother’s former wife. John’s growing influence among the people made Herod fearful of potential rebellion. Consequently, John was imprisoned and later executed. However, before his imprisonment, John baptized Jesus Christ, marking the beginning of the ministry of Jesus Christ. 446 Jesus continued to preach a message of repentance and the coming Kingdom of God, which further threatened Herod’s rule. 446