Exploring the Depths of ‘εγένετο’

The word ‘εγένετο’ (it happened) underscores the certainty and reality of the prophecy’s fulfilment. It is not something that hovers as a mere possibility or abstract idea but an event that has occurred with definite assurance. The verse introduces the act of baptism, an entirely new ritual not found in the Old Testament. While the Old Testament contains various cleansing rituals, baptism, as introduced by John, stands apart as a distinct religious practice, sharply contrasted with the existing traditions.

John the Baptist’s call is an invitation for the people to undergo a baptism of repentance. This act is viewed as radical, even foreign, compared to mainstream religious practices that focus on ritual cleansing. Unlike the prescribed rituals within the established religious system, John’s baptism does not rely on institutional approval or follow traditional purification rules. His message is clear: repentance and forgiveness can be attained directly through baptism, bypassing the need for additional cleansing rites. If such alternative acts were necessary, they would have been considered parallel or supplementary to baptism.

John the Baptist stands as an outsider, intentionally separated from the formal religious traditions of his time. His distinctiveness is not only in his rejection of institutional alignment but also in the depth of his personal identification with God’s mission. John’s passion for God is not defined or validated by his association with religious structures. Rather, his calling is rooted in an unmediated, authentic experience of God’s purpose, emphasizing a direct relationship with the divine that transcends formal religious affiliations.