Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
11. Verily I say to you These words not only maintain the authority of John, but elevate his doctrine above the ancient prophets, that the people may keep in view the right end of his ministry; for they mistook the design of his mission, and, in consequence of this, derived almost no advantage from his discourses.
We have here the high encomium which our Lord Jesus gave of John the Baptist; not only to revive his honour, but to revive his work. Some of Christ's disciples might perhaps take occasion from the question John sent, to reflect upon him, as weak and wavering, and inconsistent with himself, to prevent which Christ gives him this character.
Commenting on Matthew 11:7-15
And from the days of John the Baptist until now,.... From the time that he began to preach, to the then present time, the kingdom of heaven, the Gospel, and the ministry of it, first by John, then by Christ and his apostles, suffereth violence; or "comes with force", and power upon the souls of men: it was attended with the demonstration of the Spirit...