Questions about John the Baptist

Dear Catholic Exchange:

Today's feast of St. John The Baptist brings up a question. While he prophesied about the coming of Christ, as his title implies he was “the Baptist.” In fact, didn't he baptize Christ?

Response: Yes. See Matthew 3.

The question, then: Did John begin baptizing after Christ began His public life at age 30?

Response: No. John was the forerunner of Jesus; he began baptizing before Christ began His ministry. See Mark 1.

Did he baptize “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit?” If not baptizing in the Christian faith, then in what?

Response: No, John did not baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. John's baptism was a “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” It was not the sacramental baptism of the Christian faith. That is why Paul baptized the disciples at Ephesus with a Christian baptism when they had only received the baptism of John (Acts 19:1-5).

Of course we know the term “Christianity” didn't exist until well after Christ's death. One other question, then: Jesus Christ shared our humanity. In His public life, He was considered something of a troublemaker by some. Many factions wanted to put Him to death (and ultimately did), but many others became followers, listening to Him preach and witnessing the many miracles He performed. During the 30 years He was subject to Mary and Joseph, could they have had any influence on Him in His public life?

Response: Presumably so.

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Bill Howard

Response: Thanks!

Mark Shea

Senior Content Editor

Catholic Exchange