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The Age of Reason · Character

John the Baptist

Biblical prophet who baptized Jesus, referenced in gospels.

minor

Also known as John

First appearance: part i viii of the new testament

John the Baptist's tie to Jesus Christ is one of the pressures that moves The Age of Reason—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Mentioned as the supposed forerunner of Jesus, but Paine disputes this identification.
In the storyThe Book of MarkOpen this moment free

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With Jesus Christ (family): John the Baptist is Jesus's cousin and forerunner who baptizes him and heralds his ministry. With Matthew (professional): John the Baptist is a prophetic figure whose ministry precedes and…

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of John the Baptist sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See John the Baptist in part i viii of the new testament

Character Web

27 connections

A slice of how John the Baptist sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

JCJesus ChristEVEveMOMosesSOSolomonHEHerschelJTJohn the Baptist

Relationship types

  • Family
  • Other

Character groups

  • Gospel figures and revolutionaries
  • Protagonist
  • Paine's publishers and allies
  • Diverse historical and biblical figures

+22 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

The emotional and psychological peak occurs as the narrator directly juxtaposes Mark’s doctrine of salvation t…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See John the Baptist in part i viii of the new testament

In the story

John the Baptist appears across 2 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for John the Baptist unlock in the free preview.

See John the Baptist in part i viii of the new testament
Who is John the Baptist in The Age of Reason?