Essene or Not Essene?
John the Baptist’s ministry and message bear striking similarities to a sect of Judaism active in the 1st century called the Essenes.1
Like John, the Essenes lived and ministered in the desert at a community called Qumran near the Dead Sea, which archaeologists have unearthed. Like John, and motivated by Isaiah 40:1–3, they separated themselves from the corrupt priesthood in Jerusalem and were fervently awaiting the Messianic Age, calling for Jewish revival. They even baptized for repentance.2
According to ancient Jewish historian Josephus, as well as Essene documents in the Dead Sea Scrolls, John quoted some Essene teachings. Because of Luke 1:80, which reads, “So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel,” some scholars have wondered if John’s family either moved to the Essene community at Qumran or had him fostered there.
If, in fact, he did live with the Essenes, he seems to have left them—both theologically and physically—by the time he began ministering. He had found the Messiah, and his work had begun.
ENDNOTES
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- Otto Betz, “Was John the Baptist an Essene?” Biblical Archaeology Society Library (tinyurl.com/JohnB-Ess).
- “Archaeology in Israel: Qumran,” Jewish Virtual Library (jewishvirtuallibrary.org/qumran).
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