Why did Jesus say this?

[childofGod31]

Matthew 11:11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Why did Jesus say that whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John?

I have my opinion (I am not sure if it's right), but I would like to hear your thoughts.

 

[calluna]

Matthew 11:11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Why did Jesus say that whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John?

Because John belonged to the Old Testament, along with Abraham, Samuel, Elijah, David, Hezekiah etc. This is not really about John as a person. Jesus was using him as an example of the best that the Law of Moses, the covenant written on stone, could provide. But Jesus had come to make all the difference. The effect of the new covenant, 'written on the heart', with motivation from a clean conscience through the cross, would be far superior to what the 'schoolmaster' law could achieve.

John personally, and the woman in Matthew 7:36-50 are probably actually partial exceptions to this, because John recognised Jesus as the Lamb of God, and probably already felt his sins forgiven when he met Jesus. Evidently that lovely woman in Matthew knew it as much, or even more.

 

[ArnautDaniel]

It is part of a general inversion of our wordly sense of values.

The measure of "greatness" in the kingdom of heaven doesn't accord with our earthly sense of "greatness".

The one that is "least" - a servant of others without ego - is "great" in the kingdom of heaven, whereas those the world would call "great" - those with ego that would have others serve them - are nothing in the kingdom of heaven.

John still built up a reputation for himself that appeared "great" to the world. But the great in the kingdom of heaven would never even be noted by the world.

Now go out and find a rude and smelly homeless person and wash their feet!

 

[Christopher LaRock]

When Jesus made reference to the least in the kingdom of heaven, he may have been talking about an angel who is of the least importance. This would make sense, since John was only a man and obviously would be lower than an angel.

 

[cCensor]

Matthew 11:11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Why did Jesus say that whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John?

I have my opinion (I am not sure if it's right), but I would like to hear your thoughts.

Calluna is right in every that was on the post. I would just add that most Christians get mixed up in Matt.

Matt. was not written to Christians, but to the JEW's about their King......Jesus who they rejected.
Nothing in Matthew is directed to the Church.

With respect....Censor

 

[The Saviour]

I had a dream and jesus told me to have gay sex with my neighbour


Then someone called me the next morning.

who was phone?

 

[The Saviour]

Who Was Phone!

 

[Mister_Al]

John wasn't a child of God. Anyone in the Kingdom would be a child of God. A child of a King is greater than the messenger of a King.

Alan

 

[plmarquette]

the holy spirit came upon people for a particular work, then lifted when it was done...
on Pentecost... the least in the kingdom, because of the HOly Spirit indwelling would be greater (accomplish more) than John ...

and He also said we would do more than him (jesus) , more of us , called to the ministry, doing the same thing as he (Isaiah 61.1-3) duplicating his ministry all over the world ... Jew, Gentile, ...