John the Baptist was a wonder in his day; everyone travelled to the wilderness and the river Jordan just to hear John preach:
“Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,” Matthew 3:5
He did no miracles, so they didn’t come expecting one;
“And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle…” John 10:41
He wasn’t clothed in the most expensive suit, so they didn’t come to court his favour;
“Really, what did you expect to see? Someone dressed in fine clothes? Of course not. People who wear fine clothes are all in kings’ palaces.” Matthew 11:8, ERV
He only preached God’s word to them according to what had been prophesied and they trooped to hear him:
“As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Mark 1:2-4
What an opportunity he would have had to mobilize the multitude, chase out the Romans from Israel and become king- a king Priest, after all he was a child of Levites, but that would not have been success in the eyes of God!

Bible Reading Plan: Nehemiah 10, 2 Chronicles 16