Q: Jesus says in Matthew 11:11, There hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. I can't make heads or tails of this nonsense!
A: This statement's meaning is veiled, like the meaning of many of Jesus parables. But it isnt nonsense. I dont think Jesus meant that John the Baptist was superior in every way to everyone born before him. John wasnt stronger than Samson, or a better philosopher than Solomon, or older than Methuselah. But of all people living under the old covenant, no one was more highly esteemed than John the Baptist.
(Btw, the logical inferences which can be drawn from this do *not* include the statement, John the Baptist was the greatest man ever to live. Jesus statement allows for multi-way ties.)
But John was not, at the point Jesus was speaking, living in the new covenant. John was paving the way for the new covenant, but he himself was living under the Law which he had been reared to obey and propagate. Was John highly-esteemed by God? No one under the old covenant was regarded more highly. But God did not see John the Baptist, at this time, as a member of Christs church -- which He sees as glorious, without spot or wrinkle or blemish.
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
A: This statement's meaning is veiled, like the meaning of many of Jesus parables. But it isnt nonsense. I dont think Jesus meant that John the Baptist was superior in every way to everyone born before him. John wasnt stronger than Samson, or a better philosopher than Solomon, or older than Methuselah. But of all people living under the old covenant, no one was more highly esteemed than John the Baptist.
(Btw, the logical inferences which can be drawn from this do *not* include the statement, John the Baptist was the greatest man ever to live. Jesus statement allows for multi-way ties.)
But John was not, at the point Jesus was speaking, living in the new covenant. John was paving the way for the new covenant, but he himself was living under the Law which he had been reared to obey and propagate. Was John highly-esteemed by God? No one under the old covenant was regarded more highly. But God did not see John the Baptist, at this time, as a member of Christs church -- which He sees as glorious, without spot or wrinkle or blemish.
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
