Back to calendar
15 obras de arte sobre o pregador São João Batista

Saint John the Baptist - Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, the Forerunner of the Messiah

Saint John the Baptist, son of the priest Zechariah and Elizabeth, was born about six months before Jesus Christ. His nativity is celebrated on June 24, according to the tradition based on the Gospel of Luke, marking him as the prophet who prepared the way for the Messiah.

Miraculous Birth of Saint John the Baptist

The birth of Saint John the Baptist is narrated in the Gospel of Saint Luke, highlighting a divine miracle. Zechariah, a Jewish priest, and his wife Elizabeth, a descendant of Aaron and cousin of Mary, were elderly and childless because of her infertility. During service in the Temple, the angel Gabriel announced to Zechariah: "Do not be afraid, God has heard your request, and your wife will have a son, and you will name him John" (Luke 1:13). Doubting, Zechariah remained mute until the prophecy was fulfilled.

Elizabeth conceived around September 24, and John was born nine months later, on June 24, the traditional date of his Nativity. On the eighth day, during the circumcision, Zechariah confirmed the name "John," recovering his speech. Tradition calculates this date six months before the Nativity of Jesus, on December 25, since Elizabeth was in the sixth month of pregnancy when Mary visited her (Luke 1:36).

Life and Ministry in the Desert

After his birth, John "was in the deserts until the day of his manifestation to Israel" (Luke 1:80). As an adult, he became an itinerant preacher by the Jordan River, baptizing penitents and proclaiming the Messiah. He wore camel hair and ate locusts and wild honey, living an ascetic life. His message was one of conversion: "Prepare the way of the Lord" (Isaiah 40:3; Matthew 3:3).

The Baptism of Jesus

Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. Recognizing his superiority, John said: "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" (Matthew 3:14). Jesus insisted, and at the baptism, the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, with the Father's voice proclaiming: "This is my beloved Son" (Matthew 3:17). John thus confirmed Jesus as the Messiah.

Martyrdom and Liturgical Legacy

Saint John the Baptist was beheaded by order of Herod Antipas for denouncing his adultery with Herodias. His martyrdom is celebrated on August 29. The Nativity on June 24 was established in the fourth century, aligned with the summer solstice, contrasting pagan festivals such as the "day of Diana." Formalized at the Council of Agde (506), it precedes Christmas by six months, symbolizing the decrease of the days after John and the increase after Jesus, as in "He must increase, and I must decrease" (John 3:30).

The Church celebrates John as the only saint whose birth is a solemnity, because he is the forerunner and "prophet of the Most High." His life announces the nearness of the Lord, renewing the message of spiritual preparation.

"Do not be afraid, God has heard your request, and your wife will have a son, and you will name him John." – Angel Gabriel to Zechariah (Luke 1:13)
  • Born in Ein Kerem, Judea, son of Zechariah and Elizabeth.
  • Conception: Announced by Gabriel; traditional date: September 24.
  • Baptism of Jesus: Central event in the Gospels.
  • Death: Martyrdom by Herod, c. 28-30 AD.

Birth

Date: c. 5 BC (liturgical date: June 24)
Place: Ein Kerem, Judea

Death

Date: c. 28-30 AD (or 27 AD)
Place: null

Liturgical Feast

June 24 (Nativity); August 29 (Martyrdom)

Patronage

  • Baptism
  • forerunner of the Messiah

Recommended Books

To deepen your knowledge about this person, we recommend:

  • Ecclesiastical History - Eusebius of Caesarea (2000 (translation))
    A patristic work that contextualizes the early cult of Saint John the Baptist and historical events of early Christianity.

Sources and References

This article was prepared based on the following sources: