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Credo Catholic
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| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
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| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Dec 15th, 2007 02:14 pm |
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In reading Mt. 11:11, it says " Amen, I say to you, among those born of women there has been none greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."
Does this mean the greatest sinner who repents will be greater than John the Baptist, or the smallest aborted baby will be greater, as an example?
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BodRod
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 2nd, 2006 |
| Location: | Apple Valley, California USA |
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| First Name: | Cliff | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Raised an SDA, then Generic Christian, finally at home with ... |
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Posted: Sat Dec 15th, 2007 03:23 pm |
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| How about, the lowest angel in heaven is greater than John the Baptist.
____________________
Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.
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David W. Emery
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
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| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Dec 15th, 2007 03:37 pm |
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The traditional understanding, Marsha, is that John the Baptist is “greatest” in the Old Covenant, while the “least” in the New Covenant of Christ is greater than he just because the covenant is greater. This compares the covenants, then, not people directly.
David
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Credo Catholic
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| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Dec 16th, 2007 01:37 am |
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| Is that what verses 13 and 14 are referring to? "All the prophets and the law prophesied up to the time of John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come." Some of this is a little cryptic to me!
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David W. Emery
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| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Dec 16th, 2007 01:58 am |
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The reference to Elijah is from Malachi 4:5. This is why Jesus speaks of the prophets. Elijah, according to rabbinic wisdom, was supposed to return “at the end of times.” This was deemed possible because Elijah, according to scripture, did not die but was taken up to heaven in a fiery chariot (2 Kings 2:11–12).
Yes, I agree that Jesus was here speaking of the transition from the Old Covenant to the New, under the symbol of the return of Elijah. And if John the Baptist is mystically the “second Elijah,” we can understand that his role was to usher in the New Covenant by presenting Jesus the Messiah to the Chosen People.
David
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Darlene
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
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| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
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Posted: Fri Dec 21st, 2007 11:49 am |
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Thanks David. Your explanation of this passage makes perfect sense and supports the context. I've heard one other explanation, yet was never convinced.
Darlene
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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