No man greater than John the Baptist?

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dizzy_dave

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I have heard it said many times that no man born of a woman is greater than John the Baptist (excluding Jesus).

Is that true? I would think St. Joseph would be “greater”, after all, he was the protector and provider of the Holy Family and spent more time with Jesus Christ than any other man. Wouldn’t his role be greater than that of John the baptists? If not why?
 
And I’m assuming that “man” meant “human”, so what does that say of each and every saint who has ever lived?

My good friend brought this exact question up the other day…I’m interested in reading others’ responses.
 
Could it be that John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus Christ? 🤷 This part of Scripture has kind of thrown me for a loop, though.
 
Well it was Our Lord who said it. Therefore it is true. (Matthew 11:11) but you have to read the rest of the passage to see it’s meaning in context. John was very popular, people flocked to see him preaching in the desert. But the least popular on earth will be very popular in heaven. More popular than John was.
 
St. Joseph was indeed an important man, however John the Baptist was two things (at least) that make him greater
  1. He was the messanger sent to prepare the way of Christ. His birth and mission are fortold “See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me,” (Malachi 3:1)
  2. He was purged of orginial sin at the moment Mary greeted Elizabeth.
But the second part of that quote is “But even the lowest in the kingdom of Heaven is greater then he” that’s the more intersting verse to ponder.
 
Goth_Catholic said:
But the second part of that quote is “But even the lowest in the kingdom of Heaven is greater then he” that’s the more intersting verse to ponder.
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That I can see. But John is in heaven and that quote was referring to him on earth, so I would guess he’s VERY great in heaven too.
 
dizzy_dave said:
I have heard it said many times that no man born of a woman is greater than John the Baptist (excluding Jesus).

Is that true? I would think St. Joseph would be “greater”, after all, he was the protector and provider of the Holy Family and spent more time with Jesus Christ than any other man. Wouldn’t his role be greater than that of John the baptists? If not why?
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The context of Matthew 11 makes clear that it is a question of St. John and his prophetic ministry - that St. John the Baptist is the last and greatest of the prophets. Other translations, such as the RSV, the Vulgate, and even the KJV, give a more clear picture of the intent:
11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
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There the phrase “hath not risen” indicates the meaning; the OT so often speaks of God raising prophets from the midst of the people, and St. John the Baptist is the final one to be raised up to bring the people to the fulfillment of all their aspirations, Christ Jesus - thus he is the greatest of those prophets.
 
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