In all the Gospels, John the Baptist plays a significant role. He is called “the Baptist” because he came with the message that the kingdom of God was coming, and that people needed to get ready by repenting of their sins and receiving a ritual washing which symbolized a cleansing from sin and an immersion into the plan of God. In spite of the high regard Jesus has for him, John the Baptist goes through some very difficult times, eventually dying at the hand of some very unrighteous people. So what do we make of a man who was said to be “more than a prophet.”?
John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.