SEV Biblia, Chapter 11:11
De cierto os digo, que no se levant entre los que nacen de mujer otro mayor que Juan el Bautista; mas el que es ms pequeo en el Reino de los cielos, mayor es que l.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 11:11
Verse 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, Isa. xl. 3, and Mal. iii. 1, where Jesus Christ himself seems to be the speaker. 2ndly. Because he had the privilege of showing the fulfillment 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 fullness of the blessings of the Gospel of peace; which fullness 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 chap. iii. 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."
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 11. Verily I say unto you , etc.] 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 mothers 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 7-15 - What Christ said concerning John, was not only for his praise, but for the people's profit. Those who attend on the word will be called to give an account of their improvements. Do we think when the sermon is done, the care is over? No, then the greatest of the care begins. Joh was a self-denying man, dead to all the pomps of the world and the pleasures of sense. It becomes people, in all their appearances, to be consistent with their character and their situation. John was a grea and good man, yet not perfect; therefore he came short of glorifie saints. The least in heaven knows more, loves more, and does more i praising God, and receives more from him, than the greatest in thi world. But by the kingdom of heaven here, is rather to be understoo the kingdom of grace, the gospel dispensation in its power and purity What reason we have to be thankful that our lot is cast in the days of the kingdom of heaven, under such advantages of light and love Multitudes were wrought upon by the ministry of John, and became his disciples. And those strove for a place in this kingdom, that one woul think had no right nor title to it, and so seemed to be intruders. I shows us what fervency and zeal are required of all. Self must be denied; the bent, the frame and temper of the mind must be altered Those who will have an interest in the great salvation, will have is upon any terms, and not think them hard, nor quit their hold without blessing. The things of God are of great and common concern. God requires no more from us than the right use of the faculties he ha given us. People are ignorant, because they will not learn.
Greek Textus Receptus
αμην 281 HEB λεγω 3004 5719 V-PAI-1S υμιν 5213 P-2DP ουκ 3756 PRT-N εγηγερται 1453 5769 V-RPI-3S εν 1722 PREP γεννητοις 1084 A-DPM γυναικων 1135 N-GPF μειζων 3187 A-NSM-C ιωαννου 2491 N-GSM του 3588 T-GSM βαπτιστου 910 N-GSM ο 3588 T-NSM δε 1161 CONJ μικροτερος 3398 A-NSM-C εν 1722 PREP τη 3588 T-DSF βασιλεια 932 N-DSF των 3588 T-GPM ουρανων 3772 N-GPM μειζων 3187 A-NSM-C αυτου 846 P-GSM εστιν 2076 5748 V-PXI-3S
Robertson's NT Word Studies
11:11 {He that is but little} (ho mikroteros). The Authorized Version here has it better, "he that is least." The article with the comparative is a growing idiom in the vernacular _Koin_ for the superlative as in the modern Greek it is the only idiom for the superlative (Robertson, _Grammar of the Greek N.T._, p. 668). The papyri and inscriptions show the same construction. The paradox of Jesus has puzzled many. He surely means that John is greater (meizwn) than all others in character, but that the least in the kingdom of heaven surpasses him in privilege. John is the end of one age, "until John" (#11:14), and the beginning of the new era. All those that come after John stand upon his shoulders. John is the mountain peak between the old and the new.
