John the Baptist, St
Definition of John the Baptist, St
- Jewish preacher and prophet, a contemporary of Jesus. In circa 27 ad he preached and baptized on the banks of the River Jordan. Among those whom he baptized was Christ. He was beheaded by Herod Antipas after denouncing the latter’s marriage to Herodias, the wife of Herod’s brother Philip (Matt. 14:1-12). Feast day, 24 June.