Matthew 11:11 – 15

11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers 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 receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.

15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Jesus continues His discussion of John the Baptist's qualities and qualifications.

When John was born there had never been a greater prophet, because he fulfilled prophecies and also spoke some important prophecies himself.

Nevertheless even the least in the kingdom of heaven was greater than John. He was never allowed to see the kingdom, let alone be permitted to be part of it.

For this reason any member of the kingdom was greater than John, because of the superior advantages the members of the church have because of the privileges only possible to those seeking salvation.

Some say the kingdom of heaven (church) existed at this time because of the wording of verse 12.

It is not so, the foundation of the church (kingdom) was being prepared by John when he began his ministry. The wording is similar to the way we speak today about buildings which are in the process of being built. If you are building a house, you would say I am going over to the house, or new house, even if it is just a surveyed lot being prepared for construction. So as Jesus was talking about the construction of the church, it was being prepared.

The church did suffer violence even in the days of John, his work was opposed even by force and thus it is said that the kingdom suffered violence.

After the prophet Malachi finished his book, there was no more messages from God to mankind until John's voice was heard in the wilderness when John preached for man to repent and be baptized because the kingdom of heaven was near.

Malachi prophesied that “Elijah the prophet” was to come. (Luke 1:17) Luke says John will go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, since Elijah was in heaven (2 Kings 2:11) and Luke is clear he is speaking of John, it means John had the same kind of spirit and power as Elijah and thus is called by the name of Elijah.

In verse 15 Jesus is telling all who have the power to perceive the message which he is speaking to pay attention because what He is saying is important. He uses this same wording in Revelation during the lessons of the seven churches.

It is important for us to know that John was a great messenger and was sent to prepare the way for Jesus, but when it comes to the kingdom of heaven (the church) each of us who have accepted Jesus as our savior have a greater position in the kingdom than he.