What Made John The Baptist The Greatest Born Among Men?

Matthew 11:7-11, “And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 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.”

Jesus said that of men born among women, there was none greater than John the Baptist. What a remarkable statement and honor from Christ Himself. But why did Jesus say this?

I heard a nice sermon this past week by a traveling evangelist preacher. He's a good man, but I humbly disagree with the main point of his sermon. Let me share with you his three sermon points first, and then I'll tell you what I think. This preacher said that John the Baptist was the greatest among men for three reasons:

1. John was a man of prayer - We read in Luke 11:1, “And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” We read in John 10:41 that John did no miracles, “And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.” Whatever John the Baptist taught his disciples about prayer, Jesus' own disciples wanted Jesus to teach them how to pray like that. My humble opinion is that although John did no miracles, John's disciples saw God answer his prayers. They wanted that same power with God. These men (multiple fishermen, a tax collector, a doctor, et cetera) wanted to pray like John the Baptist. Jesus disciples didn't ask Him to teach them how to do miracles, how to raise the dead, or how to preach, they asked Him how to pray. John the Baptist was a man of prayer, which made him great.
2. John was a man of conviction - Luke 3:19, “But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.” John the Baptist was a stern preacher who didn't bite his tongue. John spoke his mind, telling the truth. John the Baptist sternly rebuked Herod for living in adultery with his brother's wife, and “and for all the evils which Herod had done.” John the Baptist was a man of moral convictions, so much so that he was willing to die for them, and he did die, martyred by Herod! John the Baptist was a man of conviction, which made him great.
3. John was a humble man - Matthew 3:11-12, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” John was a humble man, who said he wasn't worthy to unloose the latchet from Jesus' shoes on His feet (cf. Luke 3:16). John the Baptist was a humble man, which made him great.

These are all great truths and teach us that John the Baptist was indeed a great man and a good Christian. However, there have been millions of Christian men throughout human history who also possessed these three godly qualities. They prayed, they had convictions and they were humble men. So none of these things could have been the reason why Jesus called John the Baptist—not just a great man, but THE GREATEST man who ever lived. Why did Jesus bestow such an incredible honor and title upon John?

The answer is found in Matthew 11:10-11, “For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 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.” The reason why John the Baptist is the greatest man ever born among women is simply because he prepared the way for the greatest of all—Jesus Christ, the only begotten (biological) Son of almighty God.

John the Baptist came before Jesus, paving the way for the Jews to receive their Messiah. John preached hard against sin, showing the people their need for the dear Savior. John baptized them with water, so that they could identify with a rejected Christ. Jesus got water baptized to identify with a rejected nation, Israel. John told the people that there was one coming after Him, Jesus, whose shoe latchet he was not worthy to unloose, who would baptize the people with fire and the indwelling Holy Spirit. John couldn't save the people, all He could do is prepare the way and point them to Christ to be saved.

It is important to understand that John the Baptist was not the greatest born among women by any accord of his own. It was God who ordained John as a prophet before he was even conceived. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus first coming, which is why Jesus said there is none greater born among women than John. Amen and amen!