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.
11. Verily I say to you These words not only maintain the authority of John, but elevate his doctrine above the ancient prophets, that the people may keep in view the right end of his ministry; for they mistook the design of his mission, and, in consequence of this, derived almost no advantage from his discourses.
Christ spoke well of John to silence those who might doubt him, teaching us to defend the reputation of our brothers when they cannot speak for themselves. John humbled himself to exalt Christ; now Christ exalts John before all men. Those who honor Christ shall be honored by Him.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 11:7-15
And from the days of John the Baptist until now,.... From the time that he began to preach, to the then present time, the kingdom of heaven, the Gospel, and the ministry of it, first by John, then by Christ and his apostles, suffereth violence; or "comes with force", and power upon the souls of men: it was attended with the demonstration of the Spirit...