Lived: approximately 6 BC – 29 AD
While John was baptizing crowds in the Jordan River near modern-day Israel, Augustus Caesar ruled Rome and construction workers were putting finishing touches on the famous Pont du Gard aqueduct in France. Halfway across the world, China’s Wang Mang had just declared himself emperor, beginning a brief dynasty.
John lived as an outsider by choice. He wore rough clothes made from camel hair and survived on locusts and wild honey in the Judean wilderness—the rugged desert region about 15 miles east of Jerusalem. He wasn’t interested in fitting in. He was interested in waking people up.
Born to elderly parents who thought they’d never have children, John spent his early years preparing for one mission: announcing that change was coming. When he finally emerged from the wilderness, his message was simple and urgent. His movement grew so fast that religious and political leaders couldn’t ignore him. Kings wanted him silenced. Ordinary people wanted to hear more.
At the height of his influence, John did something almost no leader does—he pointed away from himself.