Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Matthew 11:11 "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. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 11:11 "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. |
Subject: Is Jesus "least" in kingdom of heaven? |
Bible Note: Hi TommyS, I won't judge who is greater or greatest among men or who will be greatest in the kingdom of heaven. However, I believe that the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures makes it clear that He is the Holy One of God. For us, there is none righteous, no not one. I don't know if we should even judge between who is greater, the ones in the Old Covenant or the New Covenant. For how much is the friend of the Bridegroom less than the bride of Christ? I believe that brides are friends first, and then they become the bride. If John the Baptist were to become a believer, he would have become part of the bride of Christ. I know that he rejoiced at the Bridegroom's voice. John 3:29 The gospel of John especially, but the others as well teach us the difference between John the Baptist and the Christ. John was a prophet, Jesus was the Prophet. John was the messenger, Jesus was the Messenger. John was a man, and Jesus was the Son of Man. John the Baptist said "He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30. John 3:31, "(He) who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. **He who comes from heaven is above all." 1 Peter 1:7, "...at the revelation of Jesus Christ;...13 Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of (Jesus) **Christ." There is a difference between the messenger and the Messenger; that is why I might suggest to you that you consider capitalization of the ONE found in Matthew 11:10. Matthew 11:10, "This is the One about whom it is written, 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before (You).' 11 Truly, **I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." Contrast John 11:27, "...I have believed that (You) are the **Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world." *****Contrast Matthew 13:14, "And in their case they prophecy of Isiah is being fulfilled, which says, 'You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; 15 For the heart of this people has become dull, And with their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes Lest they should see with their eyes, And hear with their ears; And understand with their heart and return, And (I) should heal them.' 16 "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly **I say to you, that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it; and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it." Luke 8:18, "Therefore take care how you listen, for whoever has, to him shall more be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him." Luke 9:46, "And an argument arose among them as to which of them might be the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side, 48 and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in My name receives (Me); and whoever receives **Me receives Him who sent Me; for he who is least among you, this is the one who is great." 1 John 5:11, "And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His (Son). 12 He who has the **Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life." Parentheses and **stars are mine for comparisons. From the heart, Ray |