Luke tells us how the Angel Gabriel visited Zechariah, an old priest, to tell him his elderly barren wife Elizabeth would bear a son who would be a great prophet. Elizabeth's cousin was Mary, who visited her after the Annunciation at Nazareth. Zechariah, struck dumb because he did not believe Gabriel's prophecy, was only cured after he called his newborn son John. Arab Christian tradition says the baby was hidden in a cave during Herod's massacre of the children around Bethlehem.

John began his ministry in 29AD when he was in his 30's. The Bible tells us he wore a camelhair coat with a leather belt around the waist, and consumed no bread or wine, but lived on locusts and honey. He also came from the wilderness where he had spent most of his life. Scholars think this may have been at Qumran, where the Essenes lived.

He preached repentance, telling his listeners they would be destroyed if they did not accept that, and baptised all those who did in the River Jordan. People came from all over Judea to hear him. Some thought he was the Messiah, but he told them he was not. He was simply preparing the way for someone much greater. When Jesus came for baptism, John was reluctant to do it but was persuaded.

Herod Antipas imprisoned him because the prophet condemned him for marrying his brother's wife. John's disciples kept him informed about Jesus' activities. When John asked if Jesus was the Messiah he was told all about the many miracles. Jesus thought very highly of John. Herodias brought about John's death when she got her daughter to ask for the prophet's head on a dish as a reward for her dancing. Herod was always afraid Jesus might be John come back to life.

There are many baptismal sites along the Jordan. John's main feast-day is on the longest day of the year, Midsummer Day after the calendar change in 1582. He was an extremely popular saint, with 500 churches dedicated to him. A Rosslyn Chapel code, now cracked, is a beautiful tune to a hymn to him. Modern musicians discovered it.