How is it that the least of the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than John the Baptist?

[Abba]

Jesus was born a king but did not want to become an earthly king.

Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. (John 6:15)

The Church was born sacramentally when blood and water flowed from Christ’s side. The Church was born physically when the Holy Spirit breathed on the Apostles and disciples at Pentecost.

-Tim-

What exactly is it that you mean when you say that the Church was born sacramentally vs. physically?

 

[fred_conty]

“Amen I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is greater than he. But from the days of John the Baptist until now the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN has been enduring violent assault, and the violent have been seizing it by force.” (Matt. 11:11-12).

If the Kingdom of Heaven is the Church, isn’t John the Baptist part of the Church?

John baptized with water. This was a preparation for the coming of Jesus.

Jesus’ baptism is with water and the spirit.

 

[feed_me]

Did you ever think it was humility that will make the least greater then John the baptist. What i mean is that if we are humble God will exult us but if we are proud he will humble us. And did he not say that we will do greater works then Jesus also. Just saying.

 

[Abba]

D-R Bible, Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 11. He that is the lesser, &c. Many understand this of Christ, who is less in as much as he is more humble, younger in age, and according to the erroneous opinion of men, of less sanctity than John. Maldonatus and Tolletus suppose the meaning to be, that he who is the least in sanctity in the Church of Christ is greater than John; not that John did not excel in sanctity many, nay even most of the children of the Church of Christ, but that those who belong to the Church, on account of this circumstance of their being under the new law, which is the law of children, are greater than those under the old law, which was the law of bondsmen, as the least among the children is greater than the greatest among the bondsmen. Now John in this respect did not belong to the Church of Christ, as he was slain before Christ’s death, before which time the gospel was not fully established. (Menochius) — There hath not risen … a greater, &c. This comparison, by what we find, Luke vii. 28, is only betwixt John and the ancient prophets, to signify that John was greater than any of the prophets, at least by his office of being the immediate precursor of the Messias. The comparison cannot be extended to Christ himself, who was both God and man, nor to his blessed Virgin Mother; nor need we understand it of his apostles. (Witham)

But, John was saying that the Kingdom of God is at hand, as in right now - it’s here. I understand that he was greater up until that point on account of his sanctity - he was moved by the Holy Spirit in the womb and was born by an actual interference of God and was the last prophet before Jesus Himself and even knew the Messiah and recognized Him. So, the greater up until that point, I appreciate, but I don’t quite see how he is less than the lesser of the kingdom. If the kingdom started upon the ‘death’ of Christ than this would mean that Saint Joseph is not a member of the kingdom yet he is it’s guardian. Witham cannot provide an explanation and than to make it fit claim some adjustments. I guess I need to research this topic to understand what the possible answer can be. I thought it was a simple question and I would get a simple answer but the answer doesn’t seem to be obvious.

 

[TimothyH]

What exactly is it that you mean when you say that the Church was born sacramentally vs. physically?

The sacramental presence of the Church…

Catechism 766: The Church is born primarily of Christ’s total self-giving for our salvation, anticipated in the institution of the Eucharist and fulfilled on the cross. “The origin and growth of the Church are symbolized by the blood and water which flowed from the open side of the crucified Jesus.” “For it was from the side of Christ as he slept the sleep of death upon the cross that there came forth the ‘wondrous sacrament of the whole Church.’” As Eve was formed from the sleeping Adam’s side, so the Church was born from the pierced heart of Christ hanging dead on the cross.173

The physical presence of the Church in the world was when Peter began exercising his ministry to teach, make disciples and baptize. This happened in the street below the upper room on the day of Pentecost when Peter boldly proclaimed Jesus and 3000 were baptized.

-Tim-

 

[James_Tyler]

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

• Matthew 18:1-

I think it can be deduced that the least in the Kingdom of Heaven is more humble than even John the Baptist, who said “He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

That there was no one greater than John the Baptist meant there was none more humble than he.

 

[teeboy]

John the Baptist was greatly blessed. The “least” are those who are born disabled and/or who are never noticed (such as the poor); these are the folks that are great in the Kingdom of Heaven but not great in this world.