Gospels Part 056
In today’s lesson, we see that John’s Gospel introduces another important figure who comes on the scene to introduce and announce Jesus Christ.
We will continue with the story flow in John 1:6,
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.”
It is important to note that we are discussing two different men named John. The first, whom we have been mentioning so far, is John the apostle, the writer of this Gospel of John. But the John mentioned in this verse is a different John, the man commonly called John the Baptist. He is mentioned only briefly here, but we’ll read much more about him later in the story flow. He is an especially important figure in the story of Jesus Christ.
Let us also note that the term “John the Baptist” is a bit of a misnomer, as many people unfamiliar with the story might assume that he was a member of the Baptist religious denomination. This is not possible since this denomination would not exist until many centuries later. A more appropriate term for him would be “John the Baptizer,” as that is what he did and was best known for.
In the first century Jewish culture of the Holy Land, people did not have last names (surnames). They had only one given name. To distinguish this John from other men with the same name, he was known as John the Baptizer—the John who was known for baptizing people, as we will see when we get into his life and mission a bit later. In these studies on the Gospels, we will refer to this man by the more biblically-accurate term of John the Baptizer rather than John the Baptist.
There are many other examples from the Gospels where an identifying descriptor is attached to a person’s name to help differentiate. As we will see, these identifying descriptors could be the person’s hometown, familial relationship, occupation or other distinguishing characteristics. Below are a few examples in the Gospels:
- Mary Magdalene—Mary from the town of Magdala (Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40; Luke 8:2; John 19:25)
- Mary the mother of James and Joses (Mark 15:40)
- Mary the mother of Jesus (John 19:25)
- Simon of Cyrene (Matthew 27:32; Mark 15:21; Luke 23:26)
- Simon the Leper (Mark 14:3; Matthew 26:6)
- Simon son of Jonah (Matthew 16:17)
- John son of Zebedee (Mark 1:19)
- James son of Zebedee (Mark 1:19)
- James son of Alphaeus (Mark 3:18)
There are many more, but this illustrates the point.
John the Baptizer’s Roles
John was appointed to many roles:
He came as a witness.
Continuing with the story flow in John 1:7, we read,
“This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.”
This was the purpose for the life of John the Baptizer—that he would bear witness of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Later we will read what he says of Jesus,
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
John was the voice crying in the wilderness.
“Make straight the way of the LORD” (John 1:23) as foretold in Isaiah 40:3. John was a relatively young man when he was put to death, probably 31 or 32 years of age when he was killed. But he fulfilled the purpose for which he had been miraculously brought into the world and foretold in Bible prophecy.
He testified of the Light.
Continuing in John 1:8:
“He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.”
John was not the Messiah or the Light from God, but rather was the one who would help prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah as foretold centuries earlier.
John 1:9 says,
“That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.”
In these verses we again see the author John elaborating on one of his major themes—that of light compared to darkness, with Jesus being the perfect expression of God’s light.
Jesus will bring light to every person, but we’re not told when or how, or that all will receive that light during this current age of man. Not everyone is being called now to understand God’s light and truth currently. Even many who saw and heard Jesus teach in that day didn’t necessarily have their opportunity for salvation then, because they still lived in a world blinded by Satan the devil.
We live in a world of darkness. That darkness will not be illuminated with light until Jesus returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords and Satan is bound and put away so he can no longer deceive the nations. Only then, and followed by the period of the White Throne Judgment, will all of mankind finally have the opportunity to see and respond to the light Jesus Christ brings. To learn more, be sure to read the study aid, God’s Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind.
If you have not done so yet, be sure to download the free eBook, A Harmony of the Gospels: The Life, Ministry and Teaching of Jesus Christ.
You can also read this lesson that gives an overview of this valuable resource.
© 2026 Scott Ashley. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
UYA Team | uya@ucg.org
United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.
Course Content
Scott Ashley
Scott Ashley was managing editor of Beyond Today magazine, United Church of God booklets and its printed Bible Study Course until his retirement in 2023. He also pastored three congregations in Colorado for 10 years from 2011-2021. He and his wife, Connie, live near Denver, Colorado.
Mr. Ashley attended Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas, graduating in 1976 with a theology major and minors in journalism and speech. It was there that he first became interested in publishing, an industry in which he worked for 50 years.
During his career, he has worked for several publishing companies in various capacities. He was employed by the United Church of God from 1995-2023, overseeing the planning, writing, editing, reviewing and production of Beyond Today magazine, several dozen booklets/study guides and a Bible study course covering major biblical teachings. His special interests are the Bible, archaeology, biblical culture, history and the Middle East.
