Matthew 11:11

Sunday, 29 June 2025

 

Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Matthew 11:11

 

“Amen! I say to you, not he has risen in ‘born of women’ greater than John the Baptist, but the least in the kingdom of the heavens, he is greater than he” (CG).

 

In the previous verse, Jesus cited a portion of Malachi 3:1, indicating that John was the first messenger being referred to in that prophecy, being the one sent before the Messiah to prepare His way. Now, still referring to John, He continues with, “Amen! I say to you.”

 

Jesus is making an emphatic declaration concerning John. It will be a point that those around Him would hear and find amazing and yet satisfying, even if they didn’t fully understand what He was speaking of. Having said this, He continues with, “not he has risen in ‘born of women’ greater than John the Baptist.”

 

The term “born of women” is a way of identifying humanity. All humans since the creation of Adam and Eve have been born of a woman. As such, Jesus is referring to this common human nature. It is reminiscent of the words of Job –

 

“Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble. 2 He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue.” Job 14:1, 2

 

The “he has” in Jesus’ words and the “Man” in Job’s words refer to both men and women. The masculine stands for both in such statements. Therefore, it is not limited to men but is inclusive of all of humanity.

 

No person born to the stream of humanity is to be considered greater than John. Whether the subject is a king, a conqueror, a prophet, Abraham, Moses, David, or anyone else.

 

Jesus has already said that John is the subject of the prophecies referring to the one who would come as the precursor to the Messiah. Because he is that person, his role made the purpose of his life on par with or greater than any other. Despite this, Jesus continues, saying, “but the least in the kingdom of the heavens, he is greater than he.

 

The term “kingdom of the heavens” refers to a point in the future of the time of Jesus’ words. There was a time coming that would divide human history in a way that nothing else had before. However, the timing of the event is not the only factor in determining who is a part of this kingdom. Rather, it is a necessary part of it.

 

John is living at a point in time when the kingdom being referred to has not yet arrived. Although unstated, it can be inferred that John is not going to live long enough for that kingdom to be ushered in.

 

As has been seen elsewhere already in Matthew, the idea of the kingdom holds various connotations. However, Jesus is referring at this time to the appointment of the Messiah King. This can be deduced by piecing together various thoughts presented in Scripture. Psalm 2 says –

 

“Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.” Psalm 2:6

 

To set a king implies a kingdom. However, Psalm 2 continues with –

 

“I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’” Psalm 2:7

 

Paul says of Jesus that He is “declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). The appointment of the King corresponds to the proclamation of the Sonship.

 

The resurrection provides the forum in which that proclamation is made. Therefore, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the moment at which the times referred to above are divided. From that point, the kingdom of the heavens referred to in this verse is enacted.

 

Jesus’ point is that the privileges associated with those alive after His resurrection are