I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John, yet even the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
Parallel translations
- WEB “For I tell you, among those who are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptizer, yet he who is least in God’s Kingdom is greater than he.”
- KJV 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.
- NKJV For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
- NASB I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
- NLT I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus declares John the greatest born of women, yet the least in God's kingdom is greater still. The privilege of the new covenant surpasses even John's exalted role.
Overview
John's greatness lies in his unique closeness to the Messiah's arrival, yet he stood at the dawn of the kingdom rather than within its full blessings. The 'least' in the kingdom enjoy the fullness of salvation accomplished by Christ. This shows the surpassing greatness of the grace and standing given to those who belong to Christ's kingdom.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Matt 11:11Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
- Matt 13:16–17But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.
- Heb 11:39–40These were all commended for their faith, yet they did not receive what was promised.
- Col 1:25–27I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God,
- Luke 10:23–24Then Jesus turned to the disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
- Luke 9:48And He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me. For whoever is the least among all of you, he is the greatest.”
- 1 Pet 1:10–12Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully,
- Eph 3:8–9Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
- Luke 3:16John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
- Luke 1:14–15He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,
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Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
How Luke 7:28 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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