No one is greater than John the Baptist?

[tjmiller]

The “kingdom of heaven” does not necessarily refer to Heaven qua Heaven, but also to the Catholic Church, the Kingdom of Heaven begun by Christ on earth. An examination of the other usages of the term bears this out. Cf. also Vatican Council II, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church.

 

[BryPGuy89]

milimac:

In John 7, Jesus says “I tell you, among those born of women, no one is greater than John; yet the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.” I don’t have the exact verse, but it’s from the gospel reading of 12/15 John 7:24-30.

Obviously Jesus is born of a woman, and so is Mary. I don’t think Jesus is saying that John is greater than he or Mary and in John 5 this seems so when he says “But I have testimony greater than John’s”, and John himself says later “He must increase and I must decrease.”

How is John 7:24-30 to be understood?

You used the Luke 7:24-30 in you question, not John. So I guess you accidently mixed up your books. Luke:24-30, Jesus said:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you, I tell you, among those born of women there in no one greater than John: yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

He is saying that those who will be before the path of the faithful that know not God are lesser than John, but those whose even barely know God are greater. This is saying a lot to those who know the piety of John. He isn’t talking about everyone, but those in the path they will travel. No man is greater than Jesus.

As too your other question, John 5:36-37, Jesus said:

“I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has givin me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me.”

Jesus is greater than John.

I’m not sure if I can answer your questions, but you mixed up your books and should reread your sections.

 

[Toni]

tjmiller:

Among those born of women, no one was greater than John the Baptizer, in the sense that to John alone was given the privilege of publicly introducing the Redeemer. Even our Lady did not enjoy this blessing! John was thus the greatest prophet, and the greatest party to the Old Covenant, the purpose of which was to foreshadow the Messiah.

The New Covenant began with Mary and Jesus. And so, the least member of the Catholic Church, the Kingdom of God begun on earth, is greater than John. The least among Catholics - incorporated into Christ Himself through Baptism, nourished with His own Body and Blood - is greater than the greatest figures of the Old Testament, indeed greater (more blessed) than all of them put together.

Wow.

I was reading at adoration today about the Transfiguration and looked up the foot notes. It was interesting because if you read Leviticus 23/24 everything about John and the Eucharist all come together very well. In the Transfiguration it is noted that Christ would not come before Elijah and Jesus lets the apostles know that Elijah did come when (John the Baptist) was born.

 

[tjmiller]

Navarre Bible Commentary on Luke 7:28 -
“St. John the Baptist is the greatest of the prophets of the Old Testament because he was the nearest to Christ and received the unique mission of actually pointing out the Messiah. Still, he belongs to the time of the promise (the Old Testament), when the work of redemption lay in the future. Once Christ did that work (the New Testament), those who faithfully accept God’s gift of grace are incomparably greater than the righteous of the Old Covenant who were given, not this grace, but only the promise of it…”