The Bible I read doesn't say anything about John forgetting the things you mention. Your statement was, "Is it possible that, a few chapters later, this same John forgets........". It could be possible, but the Bible doesn't indicate that(below). Neither does The Bible state(below), as you say , " he even told his mother before birth Mary was going to deliver Christ." So it must be an erroneous reading on your part. You also state, " The only way we can account for such strange conduct is ........". There is another way to account for your understanding of the scriptures. A natural man who is under the control of satan is trying to discredit the Holy Scriptures and the truth of God in Jesus Christ by using twisted interpretations as satan did to Eve, and like he tried to do to Jesus. The Holy Spirit reveals truth in spiritual matters, The natural man can't understand them, ""But people who aren't Christians can't understand these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them because only those who have the Spirit can understand what the Spirit means." (1 Cor 2:14 NLT)
"We who have the Spirit understand these things, but others can't understand us at all." (1 Cor 2:15 NLT)
"How could they? For, "Who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who can give him counsel?" But we can understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ." (1 Cor 2:16 NLT)
Satan uses Scripture in an effort to trap Jesus.
"Then the Devil came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, change these stones into loaves of bread."" (Mat 4:3 NLT)
"But Jesus told him, "No! The Scriptures say, 'People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.'"" (Mat 4:4 NLT)
"Then the Devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple," (Mat 4:5 NLT)
"and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, 'He orders his angels to protect you. And they will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone.'"" (Mat 4:6 NLT)
"Jesus responded, "The Scriptures also say, 'Do not test the Lord your God.'"" (Mat 4:7 NLT)
"Next the Devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him the nations of the world and all their glory." (Mat 4:8 NLT)
""I will give it all to you," he said, "if you will only kneel down and worship me."" (Mat 4:9 NLT)
""Get out of here, Satan," Jesus told him. "For the Scriptures say, 'You must worship the Lord your God; serve only him.'"" (Mat 4:10 NLT)
"Then the Devil went away, and angels came and cared for Jesus." (Mat 4:11 NLT)
Christ's answer to John's disciples
"John the Baptist, who was now in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus," (Mat 11:2 NLT)
Mat 11:2: Verses 2-6. Some think that John sent this inquiry for his own satisfaction. Where there is true faith, yet there may be a mixture of unbelief. The remaining unbelief of good men may sometimes, in an hour of temptation; call in question the most important truths. But we hope that John's faith did not fail in this matter, and that he only desired to have it strengthened and confirmed. Others think that John sent his disciples to Christ for their satisfaction. Christ points them to what they heard and saw. Christ's gracious condescensions and compassions to the poor, show that it was he that should bring to the world the tender mercies of our God. Those things which men see and hear, if compared with the Scriptures, direct in what way salvation is to be found. It is difficult to conquer prejudices, and dangerous not to conquer them; but those who believe in Christ, their faith will be found so much the more to praise, and honour, and glory.
""Are you really the Messiah we've been waiting for, or should we keep looking for someone else?"" (Mat 11:3 NLT)
"Jesus told them, "Go back to John and tell him about what you have heard and seen--" (Mat 11:4 NLT)
"the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor." (Mat 11:5 NLT)
"And tell him: 'God blesses those who are not offended by me.'"" (Mat 11:6 NLT)
John doesn't say a word. Interview of Mary and Elisabeth
"A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town" (Luke 1:39 NLT)
"where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth." (Luke 1:40 NLT)
"At the sound of Mary's greeting, Elizabeth's child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit." (Luke 1:41 NLT)
"Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, "You are blessed by God above all other women, and your child is blessed." (Luke 1:42 NLT)
"What an honor this is, that the mother of my Lord should visit me!" (Luke 1:43 NLT)
"When you came in and greeted me, my baby jumped for joy the instant I heard your voice!" (Luke 1:44 NLT)
"You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what he said."" (Luke 1:45 NLT)
May the blessings of God's light come to you,
David
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