What corporal works of mercy did John the Baptist perform?

Answer 1

The seven Corporal Works of Mercy toward our neighbor are based on Christ’s prophecy of the Last Judgment in Matthew 25:34

Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ’Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, ’Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink?’

And the king will answer them, ’Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brethren, you did it to me.’

The Corporal Works of Mercy are:
- Feed the hungry
- Give drink to the thirsty
- Clothe the naked
- Shelter the homeless
- Visit the sick
- Visit those in prison
- Bury the dead

We do not know if John the Baptist performed any of these works but we do know that John followed the Will of God even unto death.

By the way, John the Baptist would have already been martyred by the time Jesus prophesied about the Last Judgment in Matthew chapter 25 (This is kind of like asking why Abraham did not follow the Ten Commandments).

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

What is a corporal work of mercy, and what does that have to do with John the Baptist?

He had a job, and he performed it well . . . he was a for-runner, he ran ahead and said, "the kingdom of heaven is near . . . repent!"