Yes he did, according to all known sources. He is in the Bible and the Qur'an. There is no evidence that he didn't exist. It seems silly that the bible would invent such an important person (although they did invent Adam, Eve, etc.) surrounded by so many real people.

There is no reason to doubt it. Four credible witnesses give several details of the life of this well-known public figure of his time, and not long ago archeologists think they may have found a room he used, carved out of rock.

Yes he most certainly did exist and he played a pivotal role in the outworking of God’s purpose in revealing His “sacred secret”. This affects all of us. John baptized people in symbol, or acknowledgment, of their heartfelt repentance for sins against God’s Law covenant John was preparing the way by getting people in a proper heart condition to accept the Messiah, who was to become King. Of this One, John said: “The one coming after me is stronger than I am, whose sandals I am not fit to take off.” In fact, John even said: “The one coming behind me has advanced in front of me, because he existed before me.” Thus, John’s message, “the kingdom of the heavens has drawn near,” serves as a public notification that the ministry of Jehovah’s appointed King, Jesus Christ, was about to begin. John the Baptist is by no means a shadowy character in history. His life history is recorded in thorough detail. We know who this man was, where he came from, and the public work that he actively carried on. Remember what John’s role was, to announce the coming of the Messiah. This was a very public role to fufill. There would be many eyewitnesses as to his actions. Beginning of His Ministry. John spent the early years of his life in the hill country of Judea, where his parents lived. He “went on growing and getting strong in spirit, and he continued in the deserts until the day of showing himself openly to Israel.” (Lu 1:39, 80) According to Luke, John began his ministry in the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar. John would have been then about 30 years old. Though there is no record that John engaged in priestly service at the temple, this was the age for priests to enter into full duty. (Nu 4:2, 3) Augustus died on August 17, 14 C.E., and Tiberius was named emperor by the Roman Senate on September 15; thus his 15th year would run from the latter part of 28 C.E. to August or September of 29 C.E. Since Jesus (also at the age of about 30) presented himself for baptism in the autumn, John, six months older, must have begun his ministry in the spring of 29 C.E. See Luke 3:1 to 3, 23. These people were real people and these dates are well documented by secular historians. One final note on John. Jesus turned to the crowds and tells them that John is the “messenger” of Jehovah foretold in Malachi 3:1 and is also the prophet Elijah foretold in Malachi 4:5, 6. He thus extols John as being the equal of any prophet who lived before him, explaining: “Truly I say to you people, Among those born of women there has not been raised up a greater than John the Baptist; but a person that is a lesser one in the kingdom of the heavens is greater than he is. But from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of the heavens is the goal toward which men press.” Jesus here showed that John will not be in the heavenly Kingdom, since a lesser one there is greater than John. John prepared the way for Jesus but dies before Christ seals the covenant, or agreement, with his disciples, for them to be corulers with him in his Kingdom. That is why Jesus says that John will not be in the heavenly Kingdom. John will instead be an earthly subject of God’s Kingdom. See Luke 7:18-30; Matthew 11:2-15. Sources: The scriptures cited (read them from your own Bible), and the publication, “Insight on the Scriptures” Volume I, pages 87 to 91, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1988

It's probable he existed. The Jewish historian Josephus briefly mentions such a figure (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 18, Ch. 5), and there is no reason to doubt the authenticity of the reference (unlike those pertaining to Jesus). The Gospels also mention John the Baptist, but their historicity is in deep question. Josephus's depiction also conflicts with that of the Gospel account, and the Jewish historican makes no linkage to Jesus.

The existence of a historical John the Baptist is highly probable, as he and his execution are mentioned by a contemporary (to the rough time period of John the Baptist) Jewish historian, Flavius Josephus, as also mentioned by Flynn. "Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod's army came from God, and that very justly, as a punishment of what he did against John, that was called the Baptist: for Herod slew him, who was a good man, and commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, both as to righteousness towards one another, and piety towards God, and so to come to baptism; for that the washing [with water] would be acceptable to him, if they made use of it, not in order to the putting away [or the remission] of some sins [only], but for the purification of the body; supposing still that the soul was thoroughly purified beforehand by righteousness." Flavius Josephus, Jewish Antiquities book 18, chapter 5, paragraph 2 However, Josephus's account differs from the Biblical Gospels in that Josephus states that John the Baptist was put to death because Herod feared the influence John had over the masses and wanted "to prevent any mischief he might cause." He does not mention anything about dancing or John's head on a platter. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flavius_Josephus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flavius_Josephus

yes he was a real person. Not only do we find him the the bible but historical writings of the day also speak of him. WE can not see George Washington , but the proof of His existence is found in history . Such is the proof for John the Baptist.

Yes, Jesus and John were cousins. Mary and Elisabeth were with child at the same time...John was a little older....even while he was still in the womb, God had a purpose for him, to prepare the WAY for the Messiah...

John the Baptist did exist. He was the Son of Zakariya who was too old to sire a child with his wife so prayed to God for a Miraculous Impregnation of his wife. His prayers were answered. The interesting fact about who John the Baptist is is the identity of his mother. The Qur'an tells us that Mary was given unto Zakariya's care. They lived in the same house. Mary was a young virgin and as she was chaste and the only man in her life, and her common-law husband was Zakariya (family name Joseph) she was effectively 'barren'. But Zakariya went into her chamber and prayed for a son from God. His prayers were answered. Mary was miraculously impregnated with the promised Messiah who would be the Spirit of Elias (see Malachai 4:5). This explains the name of 'Elisabeth' in the Gospels. 'Beth' means house and so Elisabeth can be clearly seen to mean 'house of Elias'. Elisabeth is the pregnant belly of Mary. This is why she 'hides herself for 5 months'. Then in the six month Mary is informed she is pregnant. This is when 'the house of Elias' is first visible to herself and to others. So mary 'rose' and went to the 'hill country' with haste. She goes to the house of Zakariya (which we know from the Qur'an is her own home) and she salutes 'Elisabeth' (says hi to her own belly) and the baby jumps in the womb. Of course, she need only stay with 'Elisabeth' for 3 more months until she is full term. Then is born the Son of Mary. John (Yahya in Arabic). The real Messiah, also know as Jesus (Savior) Christ (Anointed One). Miraculously born from the household of Zakariya and Mary. To find out why John the Baptist is not traditionally identified with Jesus Christ, read "Caesars Messiah" by Joseph Atwill.

No No such person.

As far as I know he did.

YES...he was Jesus' cousin....

Yes, he did, and the church I attend was named after him.

Yes.