Who was St. John the Baptist, and how did he die?

Who was St. John the Baptist, and how did he die?

Questions and answers about St. John the Baptist.
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Transcript

Saint John the Baptist

Who was St. John the Baptist? St. John the Baptist was an ascetic Jewish prophet known in Christianity as the forerunner of Jesus. He preached about God’s Final Judgment and baptized repentant followers in preparation for it.
Who were St. John the Baptist’s parents? St. John the Baptist was the son of Zechariah, a Jewish priest of the order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth. According to the New Testament, Elizabeth was a relative of Mary the mother of Jesus.
How did St. John the Baptist die? St. John the Baptist was imprisoned by Herod Antipas for denouncing Herod’s marriage, which was illegal under Jewish law. According to Scripture, Herod’s stepdaughter Salome requested John’s head to please her mother, Herodias, and Herod was obliged to fulfill the request.