To Kill A Prophet
Flavius Josephus - Jewish Historian
Antiquities 18.5.2 116-119
Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod’s army came from God, and was a very just punishment for what he did against John called the baptist [the dipper]. For Herod had him killed, although he was a good man and had urged the Jews to exert themselves to virtue, both as to justice toward one another and reverence towards God, and having done so join together in washing. For immersion in water, it was clear to him, could not be used for the forgiveness of sins, but as a sanctification of the body, and only if the soul was already thoroughly purified by right actions. And when others massed about him, for they were very greatly moved by his words, Herod, who feared that such strong influence over the people might carry to a revolt — for they seemed ready to do any thing he should advise — believed it much better to move now than later have it raise a rebellion and engage him in actions he would regret.
And so John, out of Herod’s suspiciousness, was sent in chains to Machaerus, the fort previously mentioned, and there put to death; but it was the opinion of the Jews that out of retribution for John God willed the destruction of the army so as to afflict Herod.
St. John the Baptist, last of the Old Testament prophets, is also known, especially among the Orthodox, as St. John the Forerunner. Of his birth, the Bible tells us that, during the days of King Herod of Judaea, Zechariah, a priest of the Abijah section of the priesthood, was burning incense in the Lord’s sanctuary in the Temple when the Archangel St. Gabriel appeared to him, telling him that a son would soon be born to his wife Elizabeth whom they must call John who would lead many of the Israelites back to God. When Zechariah doubted the angel’s words due to his wife’s barrenness, St. Gabriel struck him dumb, telling him that, as he did not believe the archangel’s words, he would remain mute himself until these things had come to pass. When the priest’s time of service had ended, he went back home where his wife concieved (Luke 1:5-25).
