the Second Week after Easter
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Clementine Latin Vulgate
1 Machabæorum 11:11
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- BridgewayEncyclopedias:
- CondensedParallel Translations
Amen dico vobis, non surrexit inter natos mulierum major Joanne Baptista: qui autem minor est in regno c�lorum, major est illo.
Amen dico vobis: Non surrexit inter natos mulierum maior Ioanne Baptista; qui autem minor est in regno caelorum, maior est illo.
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
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."
