John baptized with water to preach repentance, but the Lord baptizes to gift us sonship to the Father (John 1:26, Matt 3:11)
John, the Son of a priest, used to offer animal offerings, the Other is the Heavenly High Priest, the Lamb of God, who carries the sins of the world.
John is the friend of the bride (the church) who is betrothed with water and Spirit like Rebecca the daughter of Haran.
St. Ambrose says: “Many apply to St. John the figure of the Law, because the Law was able to denounce sin, it could not forgive”1
John’s baptism prepared the way for Christ’s baptism
St. John is often called, “the forerunner,” because he preceded the Messiah preparing the way for Him.
1- He was conceived before St. Mary conceived the Messiah, who was incarnate from her. He was conceived before Christ to testify of Him while still in his mother’s womb.
2- He preceded Him in baptism as well, but he baptized the repentant with water to prepare the path for Christ’s baptism with water and Spirit (John 3:5)
* “John baptized with water and not the Holy Spirit, for water is incapable to forgive sins, it cleanses the bodies of those who are immersed in it, but it cannot cleanse their souls. Then, why did John even baptize?… In his birth, he preceded the One to be born, similarly his baptism preceded the Lord’s, and his preaching also preceded Christ’s!
Pope Gregory the Great
Different Types of Baptism
* Let us briefly discuss the different types of baptism:
Moses’s baptism: He baptized in water, in the sea under the cloud (1 Cor 10:2) he did this figuratively.
John also baptized, in truth not according to the Jewish rituals, and not just in the water, but for repentance and the forgiveness of sins, (Mark 1:4) It was not in a perfectly spiritual way, as he did not add that it is “in the Spirit”.
Christ baptized with the Spirit, and this is perfection!
There is also a fourth type of baptism, which is achieved through martyrdom and blood, and it is highly revered over the rest…
“I know also a Fourth Baptism — that by Martyrdom and blood, which also Christ himself underwent:— and this one is far more august than all the others, inasmuch as it cannot be defiled by after-stains. Yes, and I know of a Fifth also, which is that of tears, and is much more laborious, received by him who washes his bed every night and his couch with tears”1
Saint Gregory of Nazianzus
“He who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matt 11:11)
The only begotten Son of God was incarnate and became man, so that He can transform us from our sonship of Adam to the sonship of God the Father. This is what gave St. Paul the boldness to say, “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’” (Rom 8:15) With all the wonderful gifts that we received in the New Testament, each one of us is regarded as “the least in the kingdom of heaven”. These gifts were not enjoyed by the people of the Old Testament, not even St. John the Baptist himself, for the salvation of the Cross was not yet completed.
St. Augustine has a different opinion; which is that the least among the heavenly orders in the kingdom of heaven is an angel, and he’s still considered greater than John, which is despite what Christ Himself declared about the sublimity of St. John the Baptist’s character. Therefore, the angels, being the least among the heavenly orders, are greater than him. And by this God, enkindles our hearts’ yearning to meet the heavenly hosts, so we can enjoy this wondrous splendor!
* “The blessed John, together with as many as preceded him, was born of woman: but they who have received the faith, are no more called the sons of women, but as the wise Evangelist said, “are born of God.” “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”(John 1:11-13)… For when Christ rose, and spoiled hell, the spirit of adoption was then given to them that believed on Him, and first of all to the holy disciples…He by no means downgrades the rank of the prophets, but He wanted to show the supremacy of the evangelical mode of life in comparison to that of the Law”
Saint Cyril the Great
The Devil’s Temptation
The Devil was feared this infant that leaped and joyfully danced in the old lady’s womb as he declared to her the coming of the Messiah, the Lord of glory, in the womb of St. Mary and thus, she cried out, “But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” (Luke 1:13) Truly, we have never heard of any prophet, disciple, apostle, or saint ever preaching while still a fetus! It is the grace of God which was at work in him, still working and will forever work in him, even if he is in heaven.
A Devilish Plan for the Sake of Herodias:
Satan whispered in Herodias’ heart saying, “Along with my fellow dark powers, I sneaked into Herod’s banquet, as he gathered his nobles, high officers, and chief men and caused them to drink wine excessively. I struck them with the arrows of evil and lust. It is now the time to shut the mouth of this Hebrew John who rebukes your adultery with King Herod (your husband’s brother). It is time for revenge from him who ridiculed you in all Galilee. Let your daughter dance and ask for the head of this Hebrew who disturbed the King with his reprimand.”
Saint John in Prison Resembles the Chains of the Law
Among all the prophets, St. John the Baptist is unique in the following: 1. He prophesied about Christ joyfully as he leaped for joy, declaring to his mother, Elizabeth, that St. Mary is the Theotokos (Mother of God). 2. John resembles the aim of the Law, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness,” (Romans 10:4) that those who are under the Law might believe and partake in the covenant of grace. Thus, John sent two of his disciples to Christ to ask Him whether He is the Messiah or they should look for another, (Luke 7:19) not because he doubted Christ but so that his disciples may listen to Christ Himself and become His disciples after the martyrdom of John. 3. John was imprisoned so that he may not speak, and many imprisoned the Law that they may no longer listen and recognize the Messiah the Savior. 4. As a prophet, he resembled the silent (or imprisoned) Law by his own imprisonment
The Law spoke about Christ and the forgiveness of sins, promising eternal life to all humanity, and this is the same message John declared. However, the Law (impersonated in John) was silent, when he was imprisoned by the wicked and was chained that no one may know Christ…
“The Law (resembled by John) sent his disciples to see the works of the Gospel and meditate on the truth of the faith through these miracles. By this, the Law, which was surrounded with the violence of the evildoers, may be
justified through the knowledge of the freedom with which Christ has set us free (Galatians 4:31). Thus, John’s intention was not to treat his own ignorance but his disciples’, for he has already declared that Christ has come to forgive sins. Now, he sends two of his disciples to Christ to see His works that they may confirm for themselves the truth of Christ’s teachings so that they may look for any other messiah but Him.”1
St. Hilary of Poitiers
“John is the type of the law, which was the foreteller of Christ, the law which was held confined in the hearts of the unbelievers as if in prisons4 devoid of eternal light. The fruitful inner workings of punishment and the doors of malice restrained their hearts. The law rightly cannot achieve an outcome full of evidence of the divine dispensation without the assent of the gospel.”2
St. Ambrose of Milan
“Sin feared the righteous who was chasing her, so she imprisoned him that she may ridicule him
She put on the decoys, buried the traps, and imprisoned him. She could not hear his loud voice, for she hated him
Adultery sought after him and imprisoned virginity, that he may not listen to her teachings
Herod’s wickedness revealed its face and John’s holiness was covered All the deceiving spirits were gathered to hide this lamp who was in the wilderness
Storms raged from all directions on the enlightened one, and they imprisoned him to cast him out into the darkness [of prison]. Satan envied the voice of the one crying out in the Judean wilderness, for he exposed the wickedness of the nation and rebukes it”
– St. Jacob of Serugh
A Delegation from Prison to Christ
“And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples and said to Him, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’” (Matthew 11:2-3) St. John the Baptist realized that his departure is near and his message is about to end, so he sent two of his disciples to ask Him, not because of his doubt but that he may give a chance to his disciples to see by themselves Christ’s works, that they may love Him, follow Him, and encourage the rest of his disciples to follow Him.
“I said then, that he puts on the appearance of ignorance purposely, not so much that he might himself learn – for as being the forerunner he knows the mystery of incarnation – but that his disciples might be convinced, how great is the Savior’s superiority, and that, as the word of the inspired Scripture had announced before, He is God, and the Lord that was to come. All the rest then were servants, sent before a master, preceding Him Who is beyond all, and preparing the way of the Lord, as it is written by the holy prophets therefore the Saviour and Lord of all, as the psalmist declares, “Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.”1
St. Cyril of Alexandria
“John had separate disciples of his own…Therefore, because John’s disciples highly esteemed their master, they heard from John his record concerning Christ, and marveled; and as he was about to die, it was his wish that they should be confirmed by him. Go then, ask Him; not because I doubt, but that you may be instructed. Go, ask Him, hear from Himself what I am in the habit of telling you; you have heard the herald, be confirmed by the Judge. And for their sakes did Christ say, “The blind see.” You see Me, acknowledge Me then; you see the works, acknowledge the Doer. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”2
St. Augustine
According to St. John Chrysostom, St. John the Baptist sent his two disciples to Christ because jealousy has found its way among his disciples (John 3:26).3 Matthew the Evangelist tells us that the disciples of John came to the Master saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?” (Matthew 9:14). St. Cyril of Alexandria had the same opinion.1
Christ’s Testimony of John (Matthew 11:7-8)
Christ did not speak of John the Baptist until the disciples of John had left, that He may not seem as though He is flattering him.
Was John a reed shaken by the wind?
St. Augustine says, “Surely not; for John was not blown about by every wind of doctrine.”
“But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses,” (Matthew 11:8) for John was clothed in camel’s hair.
“But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.” The Prophets foretold that the Lord would come, whom they desired to see, and saw not; but to him was vouchsafed what they sought. John saw the Lord; he saw Him, pointed his finger toward Him, and said, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world;” behold, here He is. And he gave a true testimony to the Lord, and the Lord to him. “Among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:11) This He said, meaning Himself to be understood. Now exceedingly great among men is John the Baptist, than whom among men Christ alone is greater.
“He who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” By the kingdom of heaven, he meant where the Angels are; he then that is least among the Angels, is greater than John. Thus He set forth to us the excellence of that kingdom which we should long for; set before us a city, of which we should desire to be citizens.”1
– St. Augustine
“What does it mean, if not the carnal mind, which bows to one side or the other as soon as it is touched by flattery or criticism? Indeed, a human mouth comes to blow on him the breeze of flattery, and here it is that rejoices, prides itself and bends all over by complacency. But a breath of criticism springs from the very mouth from which the breeze of praise came, and he immediately bows to the other side in a fit of rage. John was not a wind-blown reed; neither favor made him caressing him, nor criticism, from whence it came, made him violent by angering him…Let us learn, dear brothers, not to be reeds agitated by the wind. Let us strengthen our soul exposed to the bursts of words; remain in our mind of unyielding stability. Let us never be angered by criticism or inclined by flattery to exaggerated complacency and indulgence. Let us not rise in prosperity, do not trouble us in adversity, so that fixed in the solidity of faith, we do not let ourselves be shaken by the mobility of things that pass.”2
– Pope Gregory the Great
Those who wear soft clothing:
Christ said, “Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.” (Matthew 11:8)
If the body is a garment in which the soul is clothed and hidden, the “soft body” is the flattered body which only focuses on eating and drinking, without paying attention to the eternal glory in which it will be clothed with at the resurrection as the apostle says, “And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.” (1Cor 15:49)
“He indicates that the soul is clothed by the garment of the body which envelops it, and which is softened by luxury and lusts. Those who are dressed in fine clothes are in the kings’ palaces. The word kings is an appellation for the angels who transgressed; for these are the powers of the age, the authorities of the world. Those who dressed in fine clothes are in kings’ palaces, that is, those whose bodies have been softened and weakened through luxury are the dwelling of demons, who choose a place similar to their intentions and works.”
– St. Hilary of Poitiers
“Let it be said that Jean was not dressed in cozy clothes can also be understood in another sense: he was not dressed in cozy clothes, because he did not encourage sinners in their way of life by caresses, but rebuked them with force by harsh invectives, saying, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Mt. 3:7). Solomon also declares on this subject:
“The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well driven nails” (Ecclesiastes 12:11)”
– Pope Gregory the Great
Herod and John’s Fearful Voice:
“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.” (Matthew 14: 1-2)
Herod killed St. John the Baptist to silence the voice, but his voice can never be stopped, for it continued to get louder in Herod’s mind. For this reason, when Herod heard of Christ, he immediately thought that this was John the Baptist risen from the dead. Herod had no peace, for sin deprives man from his inner fulfillment.
The evangelist tells us the story of St. John the Baptist’s martyrdom by Herod, “For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” (Matthew 14:3-4)
Herod thought he had the authority to silence the voice of truth and chain it as he did with John, desiring to kill him that he may completely abolish the voice, but the prison only made the voice louder. He thought his death would end the voice eternally, but it became an eternal proclamation to all generations. It is as St. John Chrysostom puts it, “John’s voice was heard louder than ever after these events had occurred”1
A Comparison Between John the Baptist and Herod
Firstly: They were both public figures, but John did his work out of his deep 1In Matt. hom 48:6.
love to everyone and his desire for their salvation, whereas the latter only inherited the kingdom from his father, Herod the Great, and thus his heart was full of pride and selfishness, wanting everyone to exalt him and his works.
Secondly: They both knew Christ, the first by faith when he was in his mother’s womb and he leaped for joy when St. Mary visited Elizabeth (Luke 1:44), while the other sent Him to Pilate for trial and all what he cared about was to see was a miracle from Him. (Luke 23-7-9)
Thirdly: They both believed in the resurrection of the dead. For the hope of the resurrection, the first delivered up his life courageously while the other feared it lest John might rise from the dead.
Fourthly: They both received a message from Christ. The first one received it through his disciples when he sent them to ask Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” (Matthew 11:3), and Christ exalted him (Matthew 11:9-11). On the other hand, Christ sent a different message to Herod, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected,” (Luke 13:32) when some Pharisees asked Him to depart for Herod wants to kill Him.
Fifthly: They both died in prison. The first was martyred in prison for declaring the word of truth, while the other was convinced by his wife to depart to Rome to ask Emperor Caligula to grant him the title, “King” but the Emperor was angered with his request and banished him to Lyon1, and then Spain2and he died in his exile or his prison.
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Prepared by: Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty
Translated By: Michael Stefanos – Mary F. A. – Andre Ghobrial
Designed by: Emad Roushdy