Lucas 7

Jesus praises John

24 Now when John’s messengers had departed, He began to speak to the crowds about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to observe, a reed being shaken by the wind? 25 But what did you go out to see, a man clothed in soft garments? Really, those with gorgeous apparel and living in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see, a prophet? Yes, I say to you, and much more than a prophet. 27 This is he about whom it is written:

‘Take note, I am sending my messenger before your face,

who will prepare your way before you.’*See Malachi 3:1.

28 Further, I tell you that among those born of women there is no greater prophet*Perhaps 14% of the Greek manuscripts omit "prophet", to be followed by most modern versions, but the difference in meaning is significant. Jesus did not say, ‘no greater person’. than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he."*I find this statement to be puzzling; is John not part of the Kingdom? If John is not, then none of the OT saints is either.

29 (When all the people, including the tax collectors, heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John’s baptism. 30 But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)*John’s baptism was based on repentance, but self-righteous people would consider that they did not need it.