Who was the mother of John the Baptist?

Who was the mother of John the Baptist? Elizabeth was John the Baptist’s mother.

The Gospel of Luke identifies Elizabeth as the wife of Zechariah, a priest, and as a woman from a priestly family described as being descended from Aaron. She and Zechariah had been childless and were both advanced in age when the angel Gabriel announced that they would have a son.

Elizabeth’s pregnancy is closely connected in Luke’s account with the annunciation to Mary. When Mary visited Elizabeth, Elizabeth recognized the significance of Mary’s unborn child and greeted her with words of blessing. This meeting is known in Christian tradition as the Visitation, and Elizabeth’s greeting contributed to the wording of the Hail Mary.

Elizabeth is sometimes confused with Mary because both women are central mothers in the opening chapters of Luke. Mary was the mother of Jesus; Elizabeth was Mary’s relative and the mother of John, who preached repentance and prepared people for Jesus’ ministry. Christian traditions commemorate Elizabeth as a saint, while Islamic tradition also honors her as the wife of Zechariah and mother of John.