2006-11-09 07:40:28 · 18 answers · asked by cirque de lune 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
John the Baptist was the prophet preparing people for Jesus to come, and no human is greater-or has greater faith-than John. However, even though John is the greatest human, anyone in heaven is free of sin and therefore greater than John.
At least that's what I got out of it.
2006-11-09 07:46:54 · answer #1 · answered by RJoy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In verses 7-11, Jesus commends John as a man of courage, consecration and greatnes, Yet, the least in the kingdom is greater in privilege than john. In its context, the passage indicates the dominant theme of Jesus' teaching is the Kingdom of God. Jesus presents numerous word-pictures of what this supernatural realm is like but the Kingdom is not merely to be understood withthe mind. Rather, it is spiritual and is to be comprehended and entered ito by spiritual means and spiritual living, according to the notes in the Spirit-filled Life Study Bible.
2006-11-09 15:50:56 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Matthew 11:11 (New International Version)
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.
Jesus was chastising the religious leaders who were missing the whole point about John the Baptist and himself. They were lovers of the letter of the law, versus loving the Giver of the Law. Jesus gave credence to John's ministry by linking him to the Old Testament prophecy about one who would come & '...make paths straight' etc. Verse 11 says that despite John's being the foretold prophet, despite his obedience to his call, despite his perservering in preaching and living a not-very-comfy lifestyle in doing so -- despite all of this -- that 'he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.' This means that he who is least (most humble) is greatest. Just the opposite of how humans think. He's saying yes, John is the prophesied one who was to come...but before you think "oh, he's special and I'm a nobody, I could never be that important to God", think again! Because anyone who is humble enough to recognize their need for Jesus forgiveness and restoration is "great" in His kingdom.
2006-11-09 15:46:38 · answer #3 · answered by Sheryl M 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Here is what the footnotes in my Bible says:
Footnotes to women, John, & nothwithstanding:
11a TG Woman.
b John 5: 35 (32-35).
35 He was a burning and a shining alight: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his blight.
c GR but he who is less important.
Luke 7: 28.
28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
D&C 50: 26.
26 He that is ordained of God and sent forth, the same is appointed to be the greatest, notwithstanding he is the least and the servant of all
I think it means that out of all the people on earth who were born, John the Baptist is the greatest (next to Christ himself, of course). And that taking that into account, it makes him - by virtue of ... his virtue, the least, the servant, of all. Remember that in the scriptures it says that the first shall be last and the last first. If that is true then the greatest are least and the least, greatest - as to things which matter to God, which are the TRUELY important things.
2006-11-09 15:56:25 · answer #4 · answered by Tonya in TX - Duck 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he"
The least in the kingdom of heaven are the priests and all those who put peoples opinions and wealth, status and power above God. And on earth, these mammonites, as are today, believe that they are superior to JOhn and Jesus. They are considered greater only because on earth they were greater in societies eyes and their own...in KOH...they are at the bottom(but, still in the kingdom), and in kingdom of heaven they are last because their hearts are heavy....what's new...welcome to America.
They might disguise themselves well. they surround themselves with all the right symbols, but, their heart if true, would have no desire or need for the material things they have.
2006-11-09 15:57:42 · answer #5 · answered by Bogey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus had said that John the Baptist, although considered lowly by others, is greater in his eyes than anyone coming before. He that is the least of John the Baptist is even greater in the Kingdom of God.
In other words, Jesus thought highly of John the Baptist because of the mission he held on earth.
2006-11-09 15:58:37 · answer #6 · answered by Guitarpicker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
John the baptist was a great profit, and he was a fore runner for Jesus himself. But what he is saying is that even though John was a great man. The least person in heaven is greater that John.
2006-11-09 15:45:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
John the baptist had the great privilege of baptizing the sheppard, the door (John 10:7-16), but John himself would not enter the fold with a heavenly calling. John would have to wait with the other sheep for his resurrection. Nobody can take away that privilege from him.
2006-11-09 15:49:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
His ministry was to announce the coming of the Savior of this world. He also told the people to repent of their sins and be baptized.
He was beheaded because he told Herod that having his brother's wife was a sin.
His was a very short ministry, yet he lifted Jesus up and not himself.
He was the greatest because he was a humble obedient servent.
2006-11-09 15:46:47 · answer #9 · answered by darlndanna 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. John was a great prophet - greater than most of thos before him.
2. Even John had weaknesses.
2006-11-09 15:46:53 · answer #10 · answered by JAT 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋