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John the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord

Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia

(Matt 3:1; Mark 1:4; Luke 1:60-63; John 1:6) - son of the aged priest Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth (Luke 1:13), born six months before the Lord Jesus. His birth and ministry were foretold by the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:5-15), Isaiah (40:3), and Malachi (4:5). The circumstances before and after his birth are related in detail in Luke 1:1-80.

Scripture cited

Matthew 3:1 Mark 1:4 Luke 1:60 John 1:6 Luke 1:13 Luke 1:5 Luke 1:1

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