Lexical Summary baptistés: Baptist Original Word: βαπτιστής Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Baptist. From baptizo; a baptizer, as an epithet of Christ's forerunner -- Baptist. see GREEK baptizo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom baptizó Definition a baptizer NASB Translation Baptist (12). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 910: βαπτιστήςβαπτιστής, βαπτιστοῦ, ὁ (βαπτίζω), a baptizer; one who administers the rite of baptism; the surname of John, the forerunner of Christ: Matthew 3:1; Matthew 11:11f; (Matthew 14:2, 8; Matthew 16:14; Matthew 17:13); Mark 6:24 (T Tr WH τοῦ βαπτίζοντος), Mark 6:25; Mark 8:28; Luke 7:20, 28 (T Tr WH omit), Luke 7:38; Luke 9:19; also given him by Josephus, Antiquities 18, 5, 2, and found in no other secular writings (Joh. d. Täufer by Breest (1881), Köhler (1884).) Topical Lexicon Designation and Meaning βαπτιστής is the descriptive title “the Baptizer,” applied exclusively to John, the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth. The word underscores the public hallmark of his ministry—immersing repentant Israelites in the Jordan River—and distinguishes him from every other prophetic figure. Occurrences in the New Testament The title appears twelve times, always with reference to John: Matthew 3:1; 11:11-12; 14:2, 8; 16:14; 17:13; Mark 6:25; 8:28; Luke 7:20, 33; 9:19. These passages span the Synoptic Gospels, revealing the breadth of his influence—from Herod’s court to common villages—long after his martyrdom. Historical Setting John’s appearance erupted “in the wilderness of Judea” (Matthew 3:1) during the reign of Tiberius Caesar (Luke 3:1-2), when Israel languished under Roman occupation and spiritual barrenness. Prophetic activity had been silent for four centuries. Into this vacuum stepped a Nazirite-like figure wearing camel hair and eating locusts and wild honey, recalling Elijah (2 Kings 1:8; cf. Matthew 3:4). Call and Ministry Luke records that “the word of God came to John” (Luke 3:2); his commission was divine, not self-appointed. He called Israel to repentance in view of imminent messianic visitation: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 3:2). Crowds, tax collectors, and soldiers alike confessed sins and were baptized (Luke 3:10-14), confessing that descent from Abraham was no shield from wrath (Matthew 3:9). Relationship to Jesus Christ John is both kinsman and forerunner. He identifies himself as “the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’ ” (John 1:23; Isaiah 40:3). At Jesus’ baptism John bears witness to the Spirit descending and declares, “Behold, the Lamb of God” (John 1:29). Jesus in turn affirms him: “Among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11). Testimony of Jesus concerning John Jesus interprets John’s role as the fulfillment of Malachi 3:1 and 4:5. After the Transfiguration the disciples realize, “Elijah has already come,” and “the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist” (Matthew 17:12-13). Thus Scripture is shown internally coherent—prophecy joined to fulfillment in history. The Baptism of Repentance John’s rite symbolized moral cleansing and public turning to God. Unlike later Christian baptism, it did not yet signify union with the crucified and risen Christ (Romans 6:3-4) but prepared hearts for Him. Acts 19:3 distinguishes “John’s baptism” from Christian baptism, yet both are linked by the necessity of repentance. Foreshadowing Christian Baptism By calling all Israel—including religious elite—to the Jordan, John prefigured the universal offer of the Gospel. His insistence on personal faith and ethical fruit anticipates apostolic preaching: “Produce fruit worthy of repentance” (Matthew 3:8). The early church adopted immersion language and water symbolism already familiar because of John. John in the Public Mind Long after his death, popular speculation mistook Jesus for “John the Baptist risen from the dead” (Matthew 14:2; Mark 8:28; Luke 9:19). Such confusion shows John’s stature: a fearless prophet whose resurrection seemed more plausible to the populace than the appearance of a greater One. Opposition and Martyrdom John’s rebuke of Herod Antipas for taking Herodias, his brother’s wife, led to imprisonment in Machaerus and eventual beheading (Matthew 14:3-11; Mark 6:17-29). His martyrdom foreshadows the cost of prophetic witness and prefigures the rejection Jesus Himself would endure. Legacy in the Early Church John’s disciples persisted for decades (Acts 19:1-7), yet the apostolic message consistently pointed them beyond the Baptizer to the Messiah. The Fourth Gospel opens with a clarifying note: “He was not the Light, but came to bear witness to the Light” (John 1:8). Thus the church revered John without confusing his preparatory role with Christ’s saving work. Doctrinal and Practical Lessons 1. Scripture’s unity: Prophecy (Isaiah, Malachi) harmonizes with Gospel narrative. Summary βαπτιστής highlights John as the divinely appointed Baptizer whose preaching of repentance and baptism prepared Israel for Jesus Christ. His life, message, and martyrdom collectively announce the dawning kingdom, validate Scripture’s prophetic promises, and continue to instruct the church in boldness, humility, and uncompromising devotion to the coming King. Forms and Transliterations βαπτιστην βαπτιστήν βαπτιστης βαπτιστής βαπτιστὴς βαπτιστου βαπτιστού βαπτιστοῦ baptisten baptistēn baptistḗn baptistes baptistēs baptistḗs baptistḕs baptistou baptistoûLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 3:1 N-NMSGRK: Ἰωάννης ὁ βαπτιστὴς κηρύσσων ἐν NAS: days John the Baptist came, preaching KJV: came John the Baptist, preaching in INT: John the Baptist proclaiming in Matthew 11:11 N-GMS Matthew 11:12 N-GMS Matthew 14:2 N-NMS Matthew 14:8 N-GMS Matthew 16:14 N-AMS Matthew 17:13 N-GMS Mark 6:25 N-GMS Mark 8:28 N-AMS Luke 7:20 N-NMS Luke 7:33 N-NMS Luke 9:19 N-AMS Strong's Greek 910 |
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