John the Baptist, New Testament

Often a prophet is called to reveal things that will not happen for a long time, sometimes hundreds of years. This is true of Isiah and others, whose words are recorded, but perhaps not understood until the events actually occur.
With John the Baptist, it's a bit different. He is a player in his own prophecies, preparing, as he said, the way for the mortal Messiah. In the process, we learn about John, as well as Jesus, whose ministry is just beginning.
John's mother, Elizabeth, and Jesus' mother Mary were cousins. Both were the object of miracles - Elizabeth for giving birth to a son at an advanced age, and Mary, giving birth even though she had not "know a man". They knew one another, and celebrated their connection in these great coming events.
It is unclear whether John and Jesus had much acquaintance  growing up. John's family lived in Jerusalem where his father served in the temple. Jesus' family lived some distance away, to the North in Nazareth of Galilee, though they also traveled to Jerusalem at least once.
John is often portrayed as a kind of  wild wilderness man whom others went to hear. He is like preceding prophets who fearlessly denounced those nominally in charge of teaching and holding people to the Law of Moses. Naturally, this placed him in danger, not so much from the Romans as the Jewish power grabbers.
This didn't faze John, who practiced baptism for all those willing to make the requisite changes in their lives. At the same time, he foretold of  One to come who would change everything about the practice of true religion.
That day came, when Jesus joined in the line of those seeking baptism. John was humbled to have a role in this ordinance, and questioned whether he should be the one to perform it. Jesus gave his consent, the baptism took place and evidence of a great event took the form of the voice of God the Father,, and the appearance of the Holy Ghost in the form of a dove.
Later, when John was imprisoned, his faith was tested. He sent a follower to Jesus to ask if, in fact, he was the Messiah. The answer (positive, though a bit vague) was sent back. John was put to death shortly thereafter, but we have reason to think that he perished knowing he had done right, and, even more importantly, that his prophecies were true.