JOHN'S BAPTISM AND PURIFICATION RITUALS IN SECOND TEMPLE JUDAISM (1ST CENTURY BCE–1ST CENTURY CE): DIFFERENCES IN MEANING, AUDIENCE, AND PURPOSE

Resumen

This study examined purification practices in Second Temple Judaism, focusing on John’s baptism as an innovation relative to traditional rituals. The central objective was to identify differences in meaning, target audience, and purpose between Jewish purification rituals and Johannine baptism. The research employed a qualitative approach, analyzing primary and secondary sources, including biblical texts, historical works, and apocryphal documents. Data collection focused on characterizing purification practices and understanding the social and religious context in which John’s baptism emerged. The results indicated that Jewish purification rituals were rigidly structured around the Law and priesthood, whereas John’s baptism stood out for its accessibility and emphasis on moral and spiritual transformation. The study concluded that, although they shared formal elements such as immersion in water, the practices differed profoundly in their purposes and meanings. John’s baptism not only democratized access to purification but also represented a response to the social tensions of the time, establishing a more direct connection between the individual and God. This analysis enabled a deeper understanding of the dynamics of continuity and innovation in late Judaism, revealing how religious practices can be reinterpreted in new historical contexts.