You know the familiar story of the Visitation: Mary went to visit her cousin, and the baby leapt in her womb for joy. But how much do we know about that baby, Jesus’ cousin, who grew up to be St. John the Baptist?
Did you know the same angel who visited Mary announced St. John’s birth. too? That's just the beginning of what might surprise you about him.
St. John the Baptist is the patron saint of baptism, converts, and bird dealers (yes, really!), and he's mentioned more in the Gospels than any other figure except Jesus himself. Even if his story sounds familiar, how well do we actually know this pivotal saint?
His feast day, June 24, is the perfect time to test your St. John the Baptist trivia.
You can find the answers at the bottom. When you're done, let us know your score!
St. John the Baptist Trivia
1John's birth was miraculous because his mother was considered too old to have children. What were his parents’ names?
2What happened to John's father when the angel Gabriel announced John's birth?
3John is one of only three people whose birth is celebrated as a feast day in the Catholic Church. Who are the other two?
4What event in nature is closely tied to St. John’s birthday?
5What did John wear in the desert?
6What was John's unusual diet in the wilderness?
7Finish John's famous words: “I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with _____ and _____.”
8What harsh criticism did John level at the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to him to be baptized?
9Why did King Herod imprison St. John?
10Besides his birthday, St. John the Baptist also has another feast day. What does it celebrate and what day is it?
Answers
1. Zechariah and Elizabeth (who was also Mary's cousin)
2. He was struck mute because he doubted the angel's message. (His speech returned when John was born and he wrote “His name is John” on a tablet.)
3. Jesus and Mary are the other two whose births are celebrated as feast days. The Church honors John because of his role in preparing the way for Christ as the last of the prophets.
4. The summer solstice. The longest day of the year is connected to his feast day, recalling his famous words about Christ: “He must increase. I must decrease” (John 3:30).
5. A garment made of camel's hair with a leather belt around his waist
6. Locusts and wild honey
7. "Fire and the Holy Spirit" (or "the Holy Spirit and fire")
8. "You brood of vipers!" (Matthew 3:7)
9. John criticized Herod for marrying Herodias, his brother's wife, which was against Jewish law
10. His other feast day is August 29 and it commemorates the day he died
What's your score?
9-10 correct: Forerunner Expert
7-8 correct: Desert Dweller
5-6 correct: Bible Scholar
Under 5: St. John still prepared the way for you!
