John dwelt quietly in the desert till he was thirty years of age. Then
the word of God came to him, and he began to preach: Repent ye, for the
Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Even now the axe lieth at the root of the
trees: every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn
down and cast into the fire. His manner of living was like that of the
prophets of old; he had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern
girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey. People
both from Jerusalem and from the country came to him, and they were
baptized of him, confessing their sins. Many believed that he was
Christ; but he said: I am not Christ. I baptize only with water; but
after me cometh One that is greater than I, the latchet of whose shoe I
am not worthy to unloose. He shall baptize with the Holy Spirit. He is
the Lamb of God that beareth the sins of the world. (Matt. 3:1-11; John
1:19-29.)
John exhorted both high and low to repentance. The tetrarch Herod
Antipas had compelled his brother to part from his wife, Herodias, and
had himself taken her to wife. John said to him: It is not lawful for
thee to have her. Herod became angry for this, and cast John into
prison. When Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced
before him; he was pleased with the dance, and promised with an oath to
give her whatsoever she should ask, even the half of his kingdom. She
went to the mother, who said: Ask for the head of John on a platter. The
king was grieved, but for the sake of his guests he kept his word. John
was beheaded, and his head was brought to the princess on a platter. And
his disciples came and buried him. (Matt. 14:1-12.)