What Made John the Baptist So Great?

If you had to rank all of God’s servants through the centuries in order of greatness, who would take the Number 1 spot?

This could feel like a colossal task. As you reflect on stories from the Bible, names like Abraham, Moses or Noah might leap to mind. Or maybe women like Deborah, Sarah or Ruth. You may wonder, Would God even want us to know who is the greatest?

Jesus answered this question directly in Matthew 11:11: “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist…”

There you have it. No one born from a human mother has surpassed John. According to Jesus, he was the greatest servant of God to ever live.

While this could leave room for a figure like Enoch, Stephen, Anna or others to be tied with him for the top slot, taking Christ’s words at face value means John could not go any lower than Number 1.

Jesus’ next words are even more incredible because they directly apply to you. He continued in the same verse, “…notwithstanding he that is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” We are all pressing toward that Kingdom.

This declaration was not meant to diminish John, it was meant to inspire us. As great as John was in this life, those in the Kingdom will surpass him. How much more should we strive to be there?

Do not feel intimidated by Jesus’ high praise for John. Instead, let it motivate you. John’s life offers powerful lessons you can apply to your own journey toward the Kingdom. If you remain faithful, you will share in that greatness—far beyond what John experienced in human form.

Preparing the Way for the Messiah

Consider this typical scene from John’s ministry: The sun beat down in the Judean wilderness as crowds gathered by the Jordan River. A lone figure, clothed in rough camel’s hair, stood before them—not in a palace, not in a synagogue, but in the empty, open country. His voice rang out: “Repent! The Kingdom of God is at hand!”

This was a typical scene from John’s ministry. Matthew 3 says, “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, and saying, Repent you: for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare you the way of the Lord, make His paths straight” (Matt. 3:1-3).

John the Baptist’s primary mission was to prepare the way for the Messiah. He fulfilled this prophecy. John was “a prophet…and much more than a prophet” (Luke 7:26).

Even before John’s birth, God made clear he was a unique servant. In Luke 1, an angel appeared to John’s father, Zacharias, explaining what his son would accomplish: “He [John] shall be great in the sight of the Lord…he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he [John] shall go before Him [Jesus] in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:15-17).

Here the Bible identifies John as fulfilling Malachi 3:1. Also read Matthew 11:7-11. John was God’s messenger, preparing the way for Christ. He was one of three figures who fulfilled the role of Elijah, alongside the original Elijah in the Old Testament (I Kgs. 17-21) and an end-time Elijah prophesied to prepare the way for Jesus’ second coming and Kingdom (Matt. 17:11).

While brethren in the Church today are not commissioned to personally prepare the way for Christ as John did, we are all called to prepare. The main application for us is to prepare ourselves to be ready for the soon-coming Kingdom of God.

Luke 12:47 illustrates why preparation is so vital. Jesus said, “And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.” On the flipside, if we do prepare ourselves, we will be blessed. Read verse 43.

Each Christian must actively prepare for God’s Kingdom and do His will. Philippians 2:12 tells every individual to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

You also have an opportunity to help prepare the way for Christ’s Return by supporting God’s Work today. God’s Church must continue to carry out the First and Second Commissions—preaching the gospel and feeding the flock—until Jesus comes. Any time you tithe, give an offering, pray fervently, fundraise, or contribute to the Work in other ways, you are helping prepare the way for the coming Kingdom.

In addition, you have the chance to help others prepare for the Kingdom through the positive influence of your example (Matt. 5:14-16), acts of service (Gal. 5:13) and encouragement (I Thes. 5:11). While no one can drag another person over the finish line to salvation, you can influence fellow Christians to stay on the right path.

The Value of Repentance

John’s core message during his ministry was repentance. This was the primary way he prepared people for the Messiah.

Matthew 3 says, “Then went out to him [John] Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins” (vs. 5-6). While no number is given, the language here makes clear that John worked with a vast number of people—Jerusalem, all Judea and all the region around Jordan.

John’s preaching led them to recognize and confess their sins and be baptized. Hence the name “John the Baptist.” Part of this would have included teaching them what sin really is. Review I John 3:4 for the definition.

Yet none of them received the Holy Spirit at that time. John made this clear in Matthew 3:11 when he said, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance.” The Holy Spirit would not be given until after Jesus’ death and resurrection, on the famous Pentecost of AD 31, recorded in Acts 2.

John’s baptism was an important preparatory step. He was getting people ready to be further worked with by Jesus and the disciples. Most of the 3,000 who were baptized on the first Pentecost (Acts 2:41) likely learned about God’s Way through John the Baptist.

An account in the book of Acts further illustrates the reach of John’s influence: “And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul…came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Spirit. And he said unto them, Unto what then were you baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:1-5).

These 12 men (see verse 7) had not even heard of Jesus or the Holy Spirit. But thanks to God’s work through John, they were ready to be baptized by Paul right away and be converted.

Matthew 3:7-8 explains who was not able to be baptized by John: “But when he [John] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.”

This statement shows that John was carefully working with those he baptized. He would only baptize people who did bring forth such fruits. If they did not, no baptism.

John’s message was not just about hearing the truth—it was about change. We must always work at producing the fruits of godly change in our lives. Read II Corinthians 7:10.

The Bible explains that “the goodness of God leads you to repentance” (Rom. 2:4). This is not a one-time event. Any time we slip up and sin, we need to repent. Also see II Peter 3:9 and Ezekiel 18:21-22.

Ask yourself: What kind of “fruits meet for repentance” do I see in my life?

Strong in Faith, Yet Needing Reassurance

Eventually, John was thrown in prison by King Herod. About this same time, Jesus Christ began His earthly ministry. Jesus’ miracles quickly made Him famous. Luke 7 contains accounts of Christ dramatically healing the dying servant of a centurion (vs. 1-10) and raising a woman’s son from the dead (vs. 11-17).

Yet John had a surprising reaction to the news: “And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Are You He that should come? Or look we for another? When the men were come unto Him [Jesus], they said, John Baptist has sent us unto You, saying, Are You He that should come? Or look we for another?” (Luke 7:19-20).

John had showed tremendous faith in dedicating his life to preparing the way for the Messiah. Yet after years of preaching, baptizing and preparing the way, John found himself in a dark prison cell. Why was he still there? Was Jesus really the Messiah?

Even God’s greatest servants wrestle with doubt and worry. If John faced uncertainty over something as colossally important as the identity of the Christ, we should not be too quick to beat ourselves up if we find ourselves grappling with fears and concerns about things in our lives from time to time.

Here is how Jesus reassured John: “Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things you have seen and heard…” (vs. 22). He went on to describe various powerful works that He had done, calling attention to the fruits of His earthly ministry and showing that Messianic prophecies were being fulfilled.

When you feel apprehension or doubt, stop and look at what God is doing in your life. This could involve calling to mind times God delivered you from trials, miraculous interventions or healings, or a sermon or article that came at just the right time to help you with a situation you were battling.

God not only reassured John, He gave him the great honor of baptizing Jesus. Read Matthew 3:13-17. Although we will not hear a direct response like John did, God has given us the Holy Spirit, which is called a “Comforter” (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). During tough times, ask God to comfort you through His Spirit.

Reflecting on the big picture of God’s Plan on Earth can also help you maintain the right focus when times are tough. Consider reviewing basic doctrines in Church literature that explain your reward and awesome potential. It is also helpful to look at fulfilled prophecy in history, which can strengthen your conviction that the Bible is true.

A Simple Life

In today’s social media age, where so many relentlessly seek attention and status, John’s lifestyle is a stunning contrast. Matthew 3:4 says, “John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leather girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.”

This prophet lived a simple and unsophisticated life. As John traveled on foot to preach about the coming Messiah, a major source of nourishment for him was bugs and honey.

Eating locusts is one of the eyebrow-raising inclusions in God’s health laws for what He considers clean food. Few today are curious enough to actually try one. Relying on them as a major food source, as John did, can seem unthinkable.

While life in the first century lacked the conveniences we have, John could have had a much more comfortable lifestyle if he had chosen it. Instead, he embraced a simple existence—free from material excess that could distract from his God-given mission.

As John’s lifestyle suggests, he was humble. Matthew 3:11 records him saying of the Messiah, “He that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear.” John did not want to hold on to his own glory. He was ready to defer to someone greater.

In John 3, John told his disciples, “You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before Him. He that has the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which stands and hears Him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease” (vs. 28-30).

We can apply the same mindset as John by applying Philippians 2:3: “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” True greatness is not found in self-promotion but in lifting others up. Also read Luke 22:27, Romans 12:10 and I Peter 2:17.

Without Compromise

Not only did Herod throw John in prison, he also executed him—a fate shared by many of God’s servants before him. Mark 6 and Matthew 14 record the story. John’s death emphasized his unwavering commitment to God’s Way.

John’s imprisonment began when he publicly rebuked King Herod for his unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife (Mark 6:17-18). Herod was a powerful ruler, yet John did not hesitate to declare the truth, even when it put his own life at risk.

As a result, Herodias harbored murderous hatred against John (Mark 6:19).

At a birthday celebration for the king, Herodias’ daughter danced for Herod and he rashly promised her anything she wanted, up to half his kingdom. Then, most likely at her mother’s request, she asked for John’s head on a charger plate.

Interestingly, despite Herod’s wickedness, he also recognized John’s greatness. Mark 6:20 says, “Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.”

The New Living Translation renders the second half of this verse more clearly: “Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him.” This shows John had spoken with Herod on other occasions, perhaps over a long period of time.

Verse 26 shows that Herod was reluctant to kill John: “The king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her.” Of course, he did kill him.

Jesus likened what John went through to His own sufferings: “But I say unto you, That Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them” (Matt. 17:12).

As with John, we should be willing to deny ourselves in order to follow God. Read Matthew 16:24. And while none of us will likely get on a king’s bad side, II Timothy 3:12 says, “Yes, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” We should not fear persecution but be ready for it when it arrives. We must hold fast to God’s Way in spite of hardship.

Be Great Like John

John the Baptist is at the top of the list of God’s most faithful servants. He prepared the way for the Messiah’s first coming, brought many people to repentance and baptized them, fulfilled the role of the second Elijah, overcame doubts and led a life of humility without compromise. Each of these elements of his role holds meaning for us.

Remember Jesus Christ’s words in Matthew 11:11: “Among them that are born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

In the very next verse, Jesus continued: “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (vs. 12). We have to be spiritually “violent”—we cannot let anything stop us from entering that Kingdom.

John is undeniably one of God’s greatest servants—yet Jesus said those in the Kingdom would be greater. That means you! But greatness in God’s eyes does not come by accident. Will you prepare for the Kingdom with the same commitment John showed? Will you pursue the kind of faith, humility and boldness he had?

Remember the lessons of John’s life and use them to propel you toward a position of greatness in the soon-coming Kingdom of God!