Greatness
John the Baptist is unique in Scripture for several reasons, not the least because Jesus said he was greater than any other human. And even though Jesus was 100% God and 100% man, He did not say, “Present company excluded.” We know John was not as great as Jesus, but that was a very high compliment, especially coming from the actual greatest ever! So what made John the Baptist so great?
We know John’s attire wasn’t great: camel hair and a leather belt. His diet wasn’t the greatest option, even for first-century cuisine: locusts and wild honey. People had to come out into the wilderness if they wanted to hear him preach, which is not a great choice for those who prefer a church with a nice sanctuary or auditorium in a somewhat populated area.
John the Baptist was a relative of Jesus. Their mothers were related. Now that’s pretty great! But Jesus likely had dozens of relatives. However, John was the only one about whom He said, “Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist!” (Matthew 11:11). So why was John uniquely great?
It may have been his humility. Although John had crowds of followers, when he compared himself to Jesus, he said he was “not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals” (Mark 1:7). When was the last time you told someone, “I’m not worthy to untie your shoe!” So John was humble, but why “the greatest”?
When one considers the big picture of John the Baptist’s life, one begins to understand Jesus’ exceptionally positive assessment of him. For example, before his birth, God selected John for a one-of-a-kind role. His father, a priest named Zacharias, prophesied:
“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; For you will go on before the Lord to prepare His ways; To give to His people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins” (Luke 1:76-77).
John was chosen and announced pre-birth as the first herald of the gospel message! He was to prepare the people for the arrival of Christ. After 400 years of prophetic silence, John was the first to break it and the last of the Old Testament-style prophets, fulfilling Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3. All of that qualifies him as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) of biblical prophets. Other GOATS like Tom Brady, Serena Williams, Tiger Woods, and Muhammad Ali take a backseat to John the Baptist! There has never been nor will there ever be a prophet like J the B!
But in Matthew 11:11, after His declaration about John, Jesus says, “Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matthew 11:11b). What? Greater than the GOAT? Yes. No one on earth could exceed the greatness of Christ’s followers sharing in His kingdom. John was the first, but he had not perceived Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. We have a boost because of our perspective and potential. Now we can reveal Christ in a way John the Baptist never could!
John was a righteous guy by Old Testament standards. Humanly speaking, perhaps the best. That’s likely one criterion Jesus used in His assessment of John. But the most stellar adherence to the Law doesn’t overshadow Christ’s work for and in those who know Him. According to Jesus, that makes for ultimate greatness.
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places.”
—Ephesians 1:18-20