Matthew 11:11

Matthew 11:11: “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

As we know, John the Baptist was a truly great person: he was a great man, a great prophet, and he did an amazing job of preparing the way for Christ. He faithfully carried out his task, even unto death. Jesus Himself praised him, saying that he was the greatest person that had ever been born.

So what is the second half of the verse about? Well, consider that John the Baptist called himself the friend of the bridegroom. He was not a part of the Church, which was not formed until after he was executed. (The Church didn’t come into being until the day of Pentecost, which was after John’s death and after Christ’s resurrection.) There are a number of things about the Church that are special to it and give it (and those within it) a greater position than even a man as mighty as John.

For example, we enjoy a greater knowledge of Christ than John the Baptist had. We have access to far more information than John had, and we can look back on all the things Christ has done – including the resurrection, which John did not live to see. Plus, our station in life is different. John looked forward to the kingdom, while we are a part of the kingdom. We are a royal priesthood and a holy nation. God has made us kings and priests. John lived under the Old Covenant, while we live under the New Covenant – and the New Covenant is better than the old one.

We also have greater privileges. We have the Spirit within us, which was a rare gift in Old Testament times and was easily lost (whereas we cannot lose it at all). We are also a part of the Bride of Christ, signifying a unique relationship with Jesus that John the Baptist will never share.

It is an astonishing thing that we are greater than John the Baptist. John was a faithful man who lived well and died well. We, on the other hand, are corrupt and depraved sinners who are given over to all sorts of wickedness and failures. Yet, we have gifts that were not given to him, and we are blessed with privileges that he will never have. In a way it is unfair, if that term can be used: John was a better man than we are, but we are given far more. We are a uniquely blessed group, but we are not very thankful for it and we do not bear it very well.

To quote J. W. McGarvey: “We find from this passage that all true greatness arises from association, relation and contact with Jesus Christ”. That about sums it up.