Who was John the Baptist? (Part 2)

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Scripture: Matthew 11:11-15 (ESV)

11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Devotion:

            In these verses Jesus continues his teaching on the life and work of John the Baptist. Jesus begins by giving John high praise. He says that John is the greatest of all people that have walked the face of the earth. However, Jesus points out that John is a prophet in the mold of the Old Testament prophets and those who belong to the kingdom will be greater than John. This is to show that the kingdom that Jesus will establish will be somehow greater than what has come before it.

            Verse 12 is a difficult verse to interpret and translate because of the unusual verbs that are found there in the original Greek. All of the commentaries I consulted in preparation for this devotion listed at least three possible meanings. The translations also differ and give alternate readings. (See NIV, NLT for alternate translations) The main issue is whether the verb translated violence is to be taken in a negative light or a positive light. Most commentators favor taking the verb in the negative aspect. This gives us the translation that the ESV uses. Thus, it means that violence is being done to those, like John, who are heralding the kingdom. And violence will be done to Jesus who brings the kingdom through his life, death, resurrection, and giving of the Holy Spirit.

            The following verse links John’s ministry closely with the Old Testament prophets. It is enough to note that John, although he appears in the New Testament, is really ending the prophesy of the Old Testament. Announcing the coming of the new kingdom but not himself a part of it. Jesus goes on to say in verse 14 that John was coming in the power and spirit of Elijah who was prophesied to return to announce the Messiah.

            Matthew finishes his thought with a call to be attentive hearers of this word. Discerning the truth of what has just been taught in the preceding verses. Let us pray for such discernment today:

Prayer:

            Father in heaven, we come to you in this hour to thank and praise you for the lives of John the Baptist and Jesus your dear son our Messiah. Thank you for true prophets such as John who have been faithful to proclaim the message of your coming kingdom. Grant us ears to truly hear what you have to say to us in our days on this earth. May we live in the promise of your new kingdom that Jesus established and will bring fully to fruition on his return in glory. Amen. 

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