Caravaggio, “Saint John the Baptist in the Wilderness” (c. 1604). Public domain.
New Testament
John the Baptist
1st century AD, the Judean wilderness
Wilderness prophet. Camel’s hair and locusts. Baptized Jesus in the Jordan. Said he must increase, and I must decrease. Beheaded by Herod for telling the truth about a wedding.
On their voice
Severe, lean, no soft edges. Calls Pharisees a brood of vipers. Carried doubt in prison and sent disciples to ask: art thou he that should come?
Talk to John the Baptist.
Ask anything. In their own voice, from their own era, grounded in their own canon.
