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Home Matthew 11:11-15 NRSVue

Matthew 11:11-15 NRSVue

11“Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and violent people take it by force. 13For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John came, 14and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15Let anyone with ears listen!

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)

“Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.”

Reflection on Matthew 11:11-15

Inspiration from 2025-12-11 Daily Prayer

Jesus began to gather his co-workers from the earliest days of his ministry because he knew he would need other labourers to work alongside him. As the individuals and pairings began to gather around him, it’s interesting how often he cited John the Baptist as a key figure and a role model to follow.

John had courage and the ability to hold a straight course, never allowing himself to be diverted from what he knew to be right. We could learn something from him.

Further reflection

I ponder on what Jesus said about the greatness of John. I think of what he had seen and heard so that I might profit from understanding what Jesus valued.

John proclaimed the gospel, allowing his disciples to leave him to follow Jesus. I think of what it might mean to be less so that Jesus might be more.

What was it that placed John the Baptist below/ the least in the kingdom of heaven? /He had preached the justice of God and the need for repentance; but he had not lived to see Jesus crucified, and in that, to see the unbelievable extent of God's love for us.

Jesus is not a man on his own for God! He has been expected and his life is intertwined with the prophets and with John the Baptist. Later it would be with his apostles, with the other men and women who accompanied him on his mission. Our Christian life is intertwined also with the community of the followers of Jesus. Friends, co-workers, family, the wider church - all are part of everyone's journey with Jesus to God. Our Advent prayer is a prayer that welcomes into our lives the people God sends across our path - whom we will help lead to him, and who help lead each of us to him.

John may be the greatest figure of the past, but, from Jesus' perspective, he belongs to another age. Now that the Messiah has appeared, whoever believes in Jesus and accepts his teaching about God's kingdom is greater than John. When Jesus says that 'the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by storm,' he is probably referring to those who persecute his followers trying to dissuade them from following him. Jesus reference to John the Baptist as Elijah the prophet is to be understood as John being the forerunner of Jesus.