John the Baptist

[John V]

I'd like to open this discussion for John the Baptist (hereafter JtB) as it's the part of my Jesus Timeline where my knowledge is the most fuzzy.

JtB's imprisonment and execution are some of the historical landmarks in the Gospel accounts. According to all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Mark, Matt and Luke), Jesus only started his ministry after JtB was put into prison. John contradicts this point, flatly stating that Jesus started his ministry well before JtB was arrested, but that's just one of many ways John's Gospel sits oddly alongside the others and a different topic.

Where did John "contradict this point flatly?"

That seems like a reasonable conclusion from John 3. I would question the declaration that "According to all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Mark, Matt and Luke), Jesus only started his ministry after JtB was put into prison." That they don't mention ministry for a time doesn't mean that there wasn't any.