John the Baptist - why he was important in the gospel of Mark

When news first spread about John the Baptist, all anyone knew was that he lived by himself in the desert, wore camel skins, ate grasshoppers and told people they needed to let God change their lives. But contrary to what you may believe, he wasn't crazy. Before John was born, the angel Gabriel appeared to his father, Zacharius. Zacharius was told that he and his wife Elizabeth, despite their old age, would bear a son. …

…a tomb. John the Baptist had a very important part in the story of Jesus, and around the world he is recognized in many different ways: there are St John the Baptist churches, schools and even libraries. The Sisters of St John the Baptist (SSJB), are an international group of Roman Catholic nuns, inspired to be completely open to God's direction, and let him choose where to take them, just as John the Baptist did.