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. The account of Flavius Josephus in Antiquities of the Jews was translated by William Whiston.

	Matthew	Mark	Luke–Acts	John	Josephus
Prologue			Luke 1:5–80 Birth of John the Baptist	John 1:6–18 Prologue about John the Baptist's identity and mission
Ministry	Matthew 3:1–17 John the Baptist preached to people and baptised them in the Jordan. John the Baptist 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/Lamb of God. Two of John the Baptist's disciples – including 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.
Prison	Matthew 11:2–7, 14:6–12 John the Baptist criticised king Herod Antipas for marrying 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. John the Baptist was executed by beheading by Herod Antipas on the request of 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 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 Macherus. Herod Antipas later had John the Baptist executed 'to prevent any mischief he might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties'.
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. 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.