274th Post Jesus Said on the Kingdom of God Con't. - Matthew 11: 11 Con't.

John the Baptist's disciples were probably a little confused and surprised at Jesus' answer. Maybe you are also. The strong language John the Baptist used to describe the coming Messiah was taken from the Old Testament prophets. Jesus' answer to John's disciples was also taken from the prophets. There was a group of people called the Zealots, that were fighting Rome looking for this militaristic Messiah to come and help them. These people are still around in Israel today, but they are using the term "Zionist" to describe themselves today. Now go back and look at the passage chosen for today Matthew 11:11. Jesus raises John the Baptist to the highest level a man can have. Of all men, John the Baptist is the greatest! Jesus was not including Himself in that Statement. We know that, because Jesus said that he who is lowest in the kingdom of heaven is greater. Jesus was talking about angels and heavenly hosts, here. Jesus' position in heaven is described in Hebrews Chapter 1 & 2 where the author describes Jesus as being superior to the angels and heavenly hosts. By telling John's disciples other prophetic accounts of the Messiah, Jesus was assuring him, that He (Jesus) is the Messiah. Jesus knew John would understand His statements because of who John the Baptist's father was. Zechariah was of the line of Aaron and was a high priest, he would know all of the Old Testament Scriptures and he taught them to his son John. I hope this has cleared up any questions you might have had concerning this text.