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.
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.”
- BSB 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.”
- 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 11:11Verily 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.
- Matt 13:16–17But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
- Heb 11:39–40And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
- Col 1:25–27Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
- Luke 10:23–24And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
- Luke 9:48And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
- 1 Pet 1:10–12Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
- Eph 3:8–9Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
- Luke 3:16John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
- Luke 1:14–15And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall 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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