Commentaries:
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Matthew 11:7-11
John is an Old Covenant prophet whose work is reported in the New Testament, He is really the last of the Old Covenant prophets.
Despite the great deeds of the other Old Testament prophets, Jesus declares that not one of them was greater than His cousin, John. Several commentaries claim that Jesus' statement in verse 11 literally means that John was the greatest of all men who ever lived! He was not merely the greatest prophet, but of all men born of women, he was the greatest. When one considers people like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and David, how great John the Baptist must have been, yet we know so little of him.
In verse 9, where Jesus says, "and more than a prophet," the Greek literally reads, "much more than a prophet." In the larger context, Jesus goes on to say that the reason for this is that John was himself the fulfillment of a prophecy. No other prophet was ever the fulfillment of a distinct prophecy, and what an important prophecy it was!
John W. Ritenbaugh
Prophets and Prophecy (Part Two)Related Topics: Elijah as Type of John the Baptist | John as Much More Than a Prophet | John as the Last of the Old Covenant Prophets | John the Baptist | John the Baptist as Elijah | Prophet , Function of | Spirit and Power of Elijah
Matthew 11:1-30
Matthew 11 provides an interesting example of Christ's thankfulness and praise. The context begins with the disappointing breakdown of John the Baptist's faith (verses 2-3) and the people's discontent with both John's solemn message and Christ's more joyous one (verses 16-19). Then follows the stubborn resistance to Christ's preaching in cities highly favored to receive His attention (verses 20-24). It seems as though everything is working against Him, but what is His reaction?
At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight." (Matthew 11:25-26; Luke 10:21)
Jesus rejoiced in a thankful spirit even though, from a human point of view, it did not seem logical and right. In Jesus, God presents submission to us in its purist form. Even though "He made the worlds" (Hebrews 1:2), He thankfully and joyously bowed to the will of the Lord of heaven and earth.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Sovereignty and Its Fruit: Part TenRelated Topics: Breakdown of John the Baptist's Faith | Christ's Praise | Christ's Thankfulness | Jesus Yielding to the Father's Will | Submission to God's Will | Thankfulness | Thankfulness Expressed through Christ | Yielding to God's Will
Matthew 11:7-11
Despite the greatness of the Old Testament prophets that filters through the record of their deeds, Jesus declares that none was greater than His cousin, John. In fact, several commentaries contend that Jesus' statement literally means that John was the greatest of all men, not just the greatest prophet! When we consider the greatness of the other prophets, we must marvel at how great this man was! Yet we know so little of him.
The Greek literally says He was much more than a prophet. Part of the reason for this is that John fulfilled the prophecy given in Malachi 3:1. No other prophet, aside from Jesus Christ, was ever the fulfillment of a distinct prophecy—and such an important prophecy on top of that! There may be a great deal more to John than we ever considered.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Elijah and John the BaptistRelated Topics: Elijah as Type of John the Baptist | Elijah of Malachi | John as Greatest of All Men | John as Much More Than a Prophet | John the Baptist | John the Baptist as Elijah | Prophet, Function of | Spirit and Power of Elijah
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