# Ministry of John the Baptist (c. 28)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/28-ministry-of-john-the-baptist
Location: Jordan River
Themes: Saint

John the Baptist preaches repentance and baptizes in the Jordan River; according to the Gospels he baptizes Jesus. At this point in the timeline (c. 28), there was not yet a Christian church; the Jewish people lived under a succession of Seleucid, Hasmonean, Herodian and Roman rulers, and religious life centred on the Temple in Jerusalem and its high priests.

## Why it matters
Ministry of John the Baptist mattered because the life and witness of the people involved became a lasting example venerated by Christians.

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — John the Baptist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_the_Baptist)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Ministry of John the Baptist](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Ministry+of+John+the+Baptist)
- [Wikipedia — Second Temple Background (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Temple_period)