Most
certainly 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. From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Matthew 11:11-15
Matthew 11 [4.] Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”
Matthew 11 [7.] As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in king’s houses. But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ Most certainly 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. From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Matthew 11 [16.] “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t lament.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”
Meaning:
Jesus had told the crowds that John was a prophet and “much more than a prophet”, the messenger foretold by Malachi (Matthew 11:7-9; Matthew 11:10). Now he explains John’s place in God’s plan. John stands at the turning point between the age of the law and the prophets and the age of the Kingdom.
- “there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer”
This is astonishing praise. Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah and Isaiah were all “born of women”, yet Jesus says none was greater than John. His greatness lay in his task. He was the one chosen to prepare the way for the Lord and to point to the Messiah in person.
- “yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he”
Jesus is not saying John is excluded from the Kingdom. He is comparing two eras. John belonged to the time of promise; he announced the Kingdom but died before the cross and resurrection. The least disciple who lives after these events knows more of God’s salvation than John could. The privilege of believers is not their own greatness but the greatness of what they have received in Christ.
- “the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force”
This is one of the hardest sayings in the Gospels, and it can be understood in two ways. It may mean that the Kingdom is being violently opposed. John was in prison, and Jesus faced growing hostility; the PIB footnote gives “plunder it” as an alternative rendering. Or it may mean that the Kingdom is advancing forcefully and that eager people are pressing into it. Luke’s similar saying supports this: “From that time the Good News of God’s Kingdom is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it” (Luke 16:16). Both were true in Jesus’ ministry: the Kingdom provoked fierce opposition and drew people who would let nothing keep them out.
- “For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John”
The whole Old Testament looked forward to the coming of God’s Kingdom. John was the last voice of that age of promise. With Jesus, the time of fulfilment had begun.
- “this is Elijah, who is to come”
Malachi’s book ends with the promise, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Yahweh comes” (Malachi 4:5-6). Many Jews expected Elijah himself to return. John denied that he was literally Elijah (John 1:21), but the angel had said he would come “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17). Jesus says that John fulfilled the promise, “If you are willing to receive it.” Later he told his disciples, “Elijah has come already, and they didn’t recognize him” (Matthew 17:12).
- “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Jesus often ended important teaching with this call (Mark 4:9). If John was Elijah, then the day of the Lord had arrived and Jesus was the Lord whose way John prepared. Those willing to hear would draw the conclusion.
The Significance of Matthew 11:11-15
- The privilege of the Kingdom
Believers today enjoy a privilege the prophets longed for: they know the crucified and risen Christ. This should fill them with gratitude and humility.
- Wholehearted entry
The Kingdom draws people who will not let anything keep them out. Following Jesus calls for wholehearted commitment, not a casual interest.
- Listening with willing ears
Jesus’ words require a willing heart. The same truth can be accepted or ignored. We are called to listen with openness and respond.
Cross-References:
Malachi 4:5: "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Yahweh comes." The promise John fulfilled.
Matthew 17:12: "Elijah has come already, and they didn’t recognize him," Jesus speaks of John again.
Luke 1:17: "in the spirit and power of Elijah," The angel’s words about John.
Luke 16:16: "The law and the prophets were until John." Luke’s similar saying.
Conclusion: Jesus declared that no one born of women was greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater, because John stood at the end of the age of promise. Since John’s day the Kingdom has met violent opposition and eager seekers alike. John was the Elijah foretold by Malachi, preparing the way for the Lord. Those who have ears to hear are called to receive this truth and enter the Kingdom wholeheartedly.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible