John the Baptist

John the Baptist was a cousin of Jesus.
He baptised Jesus in the River Jordan.

All 4 of the gospels look at the life of John the Baptist - notes used from Luke

His parents were Zachariah, a priest, his mother was called Elizabeth.
Zachariah was chosen to burn incense in the temple. While in the temple the angel Gabriel appears to tell him that, although he and his wife are quite old, they are going to become parents, and he is told the baby is to be called John… He does not believe and is struck dumb and can only communicate by writing on a slate.
Luke ch 1 v 5-22

Elizabeth becomes pregnant and the baby kicks for the first time when Mary, the future mother of Jesus, visits her. Luke ch 1 v 39-56

After John is born his parents take the baby to be circumcised. Zachariah picks up the slate to write ‘John’ and his voice is restored. Luke ch 1 v 57-79

We now move forward approximately 30 years. John, dressed in camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, is baptising people in the River Jordan calling on them to repent of their sins, saying he is the foreunner of the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit. Luke ch 3 v 1-18
Jesus goes to be baptised by John. John reluctantly baptises saying he is unworthy.
A dove appears and a voice says You are my son whom I love; with you I am well pleased. Luke ch 3 v 21/2

John later tells his disciples to follow Jesus, the long awaited Messiah.

John speaks out against Herod Antipas’ illegal marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife and is imprisoned Luke ch 3 v 19-20
Herod holds a party and after seeing. his wife’s daughter Salome dance offers the daughter anything she wants. After speaking with her mother she asks for the head of John on a plate. Reluctantly he agrees, Luke ch 9 v 7-9

I tell you among those born of women, there is no one greater than John.
Jesus
Luke ch 7 v 27

Sources used
The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander
The Nativity (Life) of John the Baptist
New Living Translation Bible - John the Baptist notes