Template: John the Baptist narrative comparison

The following comparison table is primarily based on the [[New International Version]] (NIV) English translation of the New Testament.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://biblehub.com/niv/ |title=Online Bible – New International Version |work=Biblehub.com |date=2011 |access-date=8 February 2021}}</ref> The account of [[Flavius Josephus]] in ''[[Antiquities of the Jews]]'' was translated by William Whiston.<ref name="Josephus18">[[Flavius Josephus]], [http://www.ccel.org/j/josephus/works/ant-18.htm ''Jewish Antiquities'' 18. 5. 2.] (Translation by William Whiston). [http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0145%3Abook%3D18%3Awhiston+chapter%3D5%3Awhiston+section%3D2 Original Greek].</ref>
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! !! style="width:20%" | [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] !! style="width:20%" | [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] !! style="width:20%" | [[Luke–Acts]] !! style="width:20%" | [[Gospel of John|John]] !! style="width:20%" | [[Antiquities of the Jews|Josephus]]
|- style="vertical-align:top; background-color:OldLace;"
| ''Prologue'' ||
|
| Luke 1:5–80
* [[Nativity of Saint John the Baptist|Birth of John the Baptist]]
| John 1:6–18
* [[John 1|Prologue about John the Baptist's identity and mission]]
|
|- style="vertical-align:top; background-color:Ivory;"
| ''Ministry'' || Matthew 3:1–17
* [[John the Baptist]] preached to people and baptised them in the [[Jordan River|Jordan]].
* John the Baptist [[Baptism of Jesus|baptised]] [[Jesus]].
| Mark 1:4–11
* John the Baptist preached to people and baptised them in the Jordan.
* John the Baptist baptised Jesus.
| Luke 3:1–22; Acts 1:5, 1:21–22, 10:37–38, 11:16, 13:24–25, 18:25, 19:3–4
* John the Baptist preached to people and baptised them in the Jordan.
* John the Baptist baptised Jesus.
| John 1:19–42, 3:22–36, 4:1
* John the Baptist preached to people and baptised them in the Jordan. He denied being the [[Messiah]].
* It is unstated whether or not John the Baptist baptised Jesus. He insisted Jesus was superior: the [[Son of God|Son]]/[[Lamb of God]].
* Two of John the Baptist's disciples – including [[Andrew the Apostle|Andrew]] – defected to Jesus at John's own insistence.
* John the Baptist baptised at Enon/Salim before being arrested. His disciples told him Jesus was successful; John endorsed Jesus as his superior and the Son of God.
* Jesus heard the rumour he was more successful than John.
|  ''Jewish Antiquities'' 18. 5. 2.
* John the Baptist preached to people and baptised them.
|- style="vertical-align:top; background-color:MintCream;"
| ''Prison'' || Matthew 11:2–7, 14:6–12
* John the Baptist criticised king [[Herod Antipas]] for marrying [[Herod II|his brother]]'s ex-wife [[Herodias]].
* John the Baptist was therefore arrested by Herod Antipas.
* John the Baptist, in prison, heard about Jesus' deeds, sent some disciples to ask if Jesus was the awaited one. Jesus listed his miracles and said: 'Blessed is he who doesn't reject me'. The disciples returned to John the Baptist. 
* Herod wanted to kill John, but was afraid of the people.
* [[Beheading of John the Baptist|John the Baptist was executed by beheading]] by Herod Antipas on the request of [[Salome|Herodias' daughter]]. His disciples buried his remains and told Jesus.
| Mark 1:14, 6:17–29
* John the Baptist criticised king Herod Antipas for marrying his brother's ex-wife Herodias.
* John the Baptist was therefore arrested by Herod Antipas.
* Herodias wanted John killed, but Herod Antipas protected John because he knew John was a just and holy man.
* John the Baptist was executed by beheading by Herod Antipas on the request of Herodias' daughter. His disciples buried his remains.
| Luke 3:19–20, 7:18–25, 9:9
* John the Baptist criticised king Herod Antipas for marrying his brother's ex-wife Herodias and other evils.
* John the Baptist was therefore arrested by Herod Antipas.
* John the Baptist [in prison?] heard about Jesus' deeds (in [[Capernaum]] and [[Nein|Nain]]), sent 2 disciples to ask if Jesus was the awaited one. Jesus listed his miracles and said: 'Blessed is he who doesn't reject me.' The disciples returned to John the Baptist.
* [no execution motive mentioned]
* John the Baptist was executed by beheading by Herod Antipas.
| John 3:24
* [no arrest motive mentioned]
* John the Baptist was arrested.
* [no execution motive mentioned]
* [no execution mentioned]
| ''Jewish Antiquities'' 18. 5. 2. 
* John the Baptist gained a large following.
* Herod Antipas feared the widely popular John the Baptist would incite his followers to launch a rebellion against his rule.
* Therefore, he had John the Baptist arrested and imprisoned at [[Machaerus|Macherus]].
* Herod Antipas later had John the Baptist executed 'to prevent any mischief he might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties'.
|- style="vertical-align:top; background-color:Azure;"
| ''Epilogue'' || Matthew 14:1–6
* Word of Jesus' miracles spread.
* Herod Antipas concluded Jesus was actually John the Baptist risen from the dead.
| Mark 6:14–16
* Word of Jesus' miracles spread; some people believed Jesus was actually John the Baptist risen from the dead, others believed he was [[Elijah]], still others he was like a prophet of the past.
* Herod Antipas agreed with those saying Jesus was actually John the Baptist risen from the dead.
| Luke 9:7–9
* Word of Jesus' miracles spread; some people believed Jesus was actually John the Baptist risen from the dead, others believed he was Elijah, still others that an old prophet had risen.
* Herod Antipas didn't believe Jesus was John the Baptist, but had to be someone else.
| John 5:30–38
* Jesus said his claims were reliable, because he knew John the Baptist's testimony about Jesus was reliable, even though Jesus didn't need human testimony.
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John 10:40–42
* The narrator downplays John the Baptist's deeds in comparison to Jesus, and claims John's testimony of Jesus had convinced many people to believe in Jesus.
| ''Jewish Antiquities'' 18. 5. 2. 
* Some Jews believed God later destroyed Herod Antipas' army as a punishment, because he had unjustly executed John the Baptist.
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