# John the Baptist — The Age of Reason character guide

> John the Baptist in The Age of Reason by Thomas Paine.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** John

**First appearance:** 0009-part-i-viii-of-the-new-testament

## Who they are

Biblical prophet who baptized Jesus, referenced in gospels.

## Relationships

### [Jesus Christ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/characters/jesus_christ)

_family_

John the Baptist is Jesus's cousin and forerunner who baptizes him and heralds his ministry.

### [Matthew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/characters/matthew)

_professional_

John the Baptist is a prophetic figure whose ministry precedes and overlaps with Matthew's apostolic work.

### [Thomas Paine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/characters/thomas_paine)

_rivalry_

John the Baptist represents religious prophecy while Thomas Paine advocates deism and criticizes organized religion.

### [Jesus Christ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/characters/jesus_christ)

_family_

John the Baptist is Jesus's cousin and forerunner who baptizes him and heralds his ministry.

## In the story

### [The Book of Mark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-iii-the-book-of-mark)

Mentioned as the supposed forerunner of Jesus, but Paine disputes this identification.

### [The Book of Luke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/chapters/part-iii-the-book-of-luke)

Mentioned in Luke in connection with a prophecy from Isaiah.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/characters/john_the_baptist
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_age_of_reason_se/characters