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Green's Literal Translation

Matthew 11:11

Truly I say to you, There has not arisen among those born of a woman any greater than John the Baptist. But the least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Church;   Jesus, the Christ;   John;   Scofield Reference Index - John the Baptist;   Kingdom of Heaven;   Thompson Chain Reference - John the Baptist;   The Topic Concordance - Kingdom of God;   Sending and Those Sent;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Amen;   Elijah;   John the baptist;   Kingdom of god;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Christ, Christology;   Jesus Christ;   John the Baptist;   Nahum, Theology of;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Hutchinsonians;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Elijah;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Inspiration;   Holman Bible Dictionary - John;   Matthew, the Gospel of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Corinthians, First Epistle to the;   Ethics;   Kingdom of God;   Mss;   Text of the New Testament;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Baptism;   Begetting;   Claim;   Dates (2);   Discourse;   Equality;   Eschatology (2);   Greatness;   John the Baptist;   Kingdom of God (or Heaven);   Logia;   Old Testament (I. Christ as Fulfilment of);   Praise (2);   Pre-Eminence ;   Promise (2);   Regeneration (2);   Religious Experience;   Righteous, Righteousness;   Salvation Save Saviour;   Sanctify, Sanctification;   Teaching of Jesus;   Winter ;   Zacharias ;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - John the Baptist;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Baptist;   Prophecy;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Baptism;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - John, the Baptize;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - John the Baptist;   Parousia;   Salvation;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Jesus of Nazareth;   John the Baptist;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one greater than John the Baptist has appeared,
King James Version (1611)
Uerely I say vnto you, Among them that are borne of women, there hath not risen a greater then Iohn the Baptist: notwithstanding, hee that is least in the kingdome of heauen, is greater then he.
King James Version
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.
English Standard Version
Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
New American Standard Bible
"Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
New Century Version
I tell you the truth, John the Baptist is greater than any other person ever born, but even the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John.
Amplified Bible
"I assure you and most solemnly say to you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater [in privilege] than he.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Verely I say vnto you, among them which are begotten of women, arose there not a greater then Iohn Baptist: notwithstanding, he that is the least in the kingdome of heauen, is greater then he.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Legacy Standard Bible
Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Berean Standard Bible
Truly 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.
Contemporary English Version
I tell you that no one ever born on this earth is greater than John the Baptist. But whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John.
Complete Jewish Bible
Yes! I tell you that among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than Yochanan the Immerser! Yet the one who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he!
Darby Translation
Verily I say to you, that there is not arisen among [the] born of women a greater than John the baptist. But he who is a little one in the kingdom of the heavens is greater than he.
Easy-to-Read Version
"The truth is that John the Baptizer is greater than anyone who has ever come into this world. But even the least important person in God's kingdom is greater than John.
George Lamsa Translation
Truly I say to you, that among those who are born of women, there has never risen one who is greater than John the Baptist; and yet even the least person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Good News Translation
I assure you that John the Baptist is greater than anyone who has ever lived. But the one who is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than John.
Lexham English Bible
Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen one greater than John the Baptist. But the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
American Standard Version
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not arisen a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Bible in Basic English
Truly I say to you, Among the sons of women there has not been a greater than John the Baptist: but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Hebrew Names Version
Most assuredly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than Yochanan the immerser; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.
International Standard Version
Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has appeared who is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Etheridge Translation
Amen I say to you, there hath not arisen among them born of women [fn] who [fn] greater than Juchanon the Baptizer: yet, the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Murdock Translation
Verily I say to you, Among those born of women, there hath not arisen a greater than John the Baptizer: yet the small one in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Ueryly I say vnto you, among them that are borne of women, arose not a greater then Iohn the Baptist: Notwithstandyng, he that is lesse in the kingdome of heauen, is greater then he.
English Revised Version
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not arisen a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
World English Bible
Most assuredly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Verily I say unto you, among them that are born of women, there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist; but he that is least in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he.
Weymouth's New Testament
"I solemnly tell you that among all of woman born no greater has ever been raised up than John the Baptist; yet one who is of lower rank in the Kingdom of the Heavens is greater than he.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Treuli Y seie to you, ther roos noon more than Joon Baptist among the children of wymmen; but he that is lesse in the kyngdom of heuenes, is more than he.
Update Bible Version
Truly I say to you, Among those that are born of women there has not arisen a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Webster's Bible Translation
Verily, I say to 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.
New English Translation
"I tell you the truth, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.
New King James Version
"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.
New Living Translation
"I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!
New Life Bible
For sure, I tell you, of those born of women, there is no one greater than John the Baptist. The least in the holy nation of heaven is greater than he.
New Revised Standard
Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Verily, I say unto you - There hath not arisen, among such as are born of women, a greater than John the Immerser, - yet, he that is less in the kingdom of the heavens, is, greater than he.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Amen I say to you, there hath not risen among them that are born of women a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is the lesser in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Revised Standard Version
Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Verely I saye vnto you amonge ye chyldren of wemen arose there not a gretter then Ihon the baptist. Notwithstondinge he that ys lesse in the kyngdome of heven ys gretter then he.
Young's Literal Translation
Verily I say to you, there hath not risen, among those born of women, a greater than John the Baptist, but he who is least in the reign of the heavens is greater than he.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Verely I saye vnto you: Amonge ye children of wemen arose there not a greater then Ihon the baptist. Not withstondinge he that is lesse in the kyngdome of Heauen, is greater then he.
Mace New Testament (1729)
I declare unto you, among the whole race of prophets, there never appear'd a greater than John the Baptist: (notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of the
THE MESSAGE
"Let me tell you what's going on here: No one in history surpasses John the Baptizer; but in the kingdom he prepared you for, the lowliest person is ahead of him. For a long time now people have tried to force themselves into God's kingdom. But if you read the books of the Prophets and God's Law closely, you will see them culminate in John, teaming up with him in preparing the way for the Messiah of the kingdom. Looked at in this way, John is the ‘Elijah' you've all been expecting to arrive and introduce the Messiah.
Simplified Cowboy Version
"This right here's the truth, no woman has ever given birth to someone greater than John the Baptist. But the sorriest cowboy in God's Green Pastures is greater than John.

Contextual Overview

7 But as these were going, Jesus began to say to the crowds about John, What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed being shaken with the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man being clothed in soft garments? Behold, those wearing soft things are in the houses of kings. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one more excellent than a prophet. 10 For this is the one about whom it has been written: "Behold, I send out My messenger before Your face, who shall prepare Your way before You." Mal. 3:1 11 Truly I say to you, There has not arisen among those born of a woman any greater than John the Baptist. But the least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is. 12 But from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent seize it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to receive, he is Elijah, the one going to come. 15 The one having ears to hear, let him hear.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

born: Job 14:1, Job 14:4, Job 15:14, Job 25:4, Psalms 51:5, Ephesians 2:3

a greater: Matthew 3:11, 1 Samuel 2:30, Luke 1:15, Luke 7:28, John 5:35

he that: Matthew 5:19, Isaiah 30:26, Zechariah 12:8, Luke 9:48, John 1:15, John 1:27, John 3:30, 1 Corinthians 6:4, 1 Corinthians 15:9, Ephesians 3:8

greater: John 7:39, John 10:41, Romans 16:25, Romans 16:26, Colossians 1:26, Colossians 1:27, 2 Timothy 1:10, Hebrews 11:40, 1 Peter 1:10

Reciprocal: Numbers 12:7 - My servant Malachi 3:1 - I will Matthew 3:2 - for Matthew 5:18 - verily Matthew 10:7 - The Matthew 14:2 - This

Cross-References

Genesis 1:28
And God blessed them; and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fish of the seas, and over birds of the heavens, and over all beasts creeping on the earth.
Genesis 9:7
And you, be fruitful and multiply. Swarm over the earth and multiply in it.
Genesis 11:3
And each one said to his neighbor, Come, let us make brick, and burning burn them. And they had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar.
Genesis 11:4
And they said, Come, let us build a city and a tower with its head in the heavens, and make a name for ourselves, that we not be scattered on the face of all the earth.
Genesis 11:32
And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years; and Terah died in Haran.
Psalms 144:12
so that our sons may be like plants grown up in their youth; and our daughters like corner-stones, hewn like a palace building;

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Verily I say unto you,.... What Christ had before said, he proved from a testimony of Scripture; what he was about to say depending on his word, he asseverates in the most solemn manner:

among them that are born of women, there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist. The phrase, "them that are born of women", is a "periphrasis", of men born into the world by ordinary generation; see Job 14:1 and the sense is, that of all the prophets that have been in the world, since the beginning of it, Moses himself not excepted, there has not been raised up by God a greater prophet than John, the first administrator of baptism; were but considered, the uncommonness of his birth, his being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb, his exemplary life, the excellency of his doctrine; and especially, his work and office, as the harbinger of Christ, and the preparer of his ways.

Notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he; which is to be understood, not of Christ, who was younger in age, and a junior preacher, and less in the esteem of the Pharisees, being greater than he, in nature and office, nor of the saints in heaven, where he that was least, the meanest, and most abject, when on earth, is more happy than John, who was then in prison; nor of all the believers under the Gospel dispensation; but of the apostles of Christ, and the least among them, who were then the kingdom of heaven, or the visible Gospel church state. These had a better opportunity of conversing with Christ, and of seeing and hearing the things they did, than John had; they had the power of performing miracles, which John had not; were immediately sent forth by Christ, to preach the Gospel, and had a clearer insight into the truths of it, than John; especially, after the Holy Ghost was in such an extraordinary manner poured forth upon them, on the day of Pentecost; particularly after the death and resurrection of Christ, they were able to preach him, not only as come in the flesh, but as having suffered and died, and obtained eternal redemption: they could speak of his blood being shed, of his righteousness being wrought out, and of his sacrifice and satisfaction as made, which John could not; and besides, were more successful in the conversion of sinners, both Jews and Gentiles, than ever he was. The comparison does not lie so much between their persons, as their several different degrees of light and doctrine.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Among them that are born of women - This is an emphatic way of saying that there “had never” been a greater “man” than John. See Job 14:1.

He that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he - The phrase “kingdom of heaven” is used in many senses. See the notes at Matthew 3:2. It here probably means, “in preaching the kingdom of God,” or the gospel. It could hardly be affirmed of the obscurest and most ignorant Christian that he had clearer views than Isaiah or John; but of the apostles of the Saviour, of the first preachers who were with him and who heard his instructions, it might be said that they had more correct apprehensions than any of the ancient prophets, or than John.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Matthew 11:11. A greater than John the Baptist — A sixth excellency of the Baptist-he was greater than any prophet from the beginning of the world till that time: -

lst. Because he was prophesied of by them, Isaiah 40:3, and Malachi 3:1, where Jesus Christ himself seems to be the speaker.

2ndly. Because he had the privilege of showing the fulfilment of their predictions, by pointing out that Christ has now come, which they foretold should come. And

3dly. Because he saw and enjoyed that salvation which they could only foretell. See Quesnel.

Notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven — By the kingdom of heaven in this verse is meant, the fulness of the blessings of the Gospel of peace; which fulness was not known till after Christ had been crucified, and had risen from the dead. Now the least in this kingdom, the meanest preacher of a crucified, risen, and glorified Saviour, was greater than John, who was not permitted to live to see the plenitude of Gospel grace, in the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. Let the reader observe,

1st. That the kingdom of heaven here does not mean the state of future glory. See Matthew 3:2.

2dly. That it is not in holiness or devotedness to God that the least in this kingdom is greater than John; but

3dly. That it is merely in the difference of the ministry.

The prophets pointed out a Christ that was coming; John showed that that Christ was then among them; and the preachers of the Gospel prove that this Christ has suffered, and entered into his glory, and that repentance and remission of sins are proclaimed through his blood. There is a saying similar to this among the Jews: "Even the servant maid that passed through the Red Sea, saw what neither Ezekiel, nor any other of the prophets had seen."


 
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