John the Baptist was the last and greatest prophet under the Law. Jesus declared that no prophet from the “house of servants” was John’s superior. “There hath not arisen a greater prophet than John the Baptist – and yet I say unto you that the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (Matthew 11:11).
The Jewish people in the Bible were never called “sons of God,” rather, they were called “servants.”
Jesus had not yet paid the ransom price for Adam’s sin. Israel was still condemned under the Law and under Adam’s death sentence. However, the Law Covenant did specially bless the Jewish people by giving the nation God’s laws and special providential care.
Amos 3:2,7, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth…Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.” However, no one could not be adopted as a son until his sins could be atoned for through Jesus.
Jesus recognized His believing followers as friends. John 15:15, “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”
Jesus proclaimed God to be his Father. This had never happened before and would have been a shocking change to the Jewish people. More than this, Jesus said that those who followed him would also be able to claim God as their Father!
After Jesus’ resurrection, fallen people could receive forgiveness and be “adopted” into God’s family. Galatians 4:4-7, “God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”
Every member of the kingdom of heaven class must be greater than John because they are begotten of the holy Spirit. We are reckoned as members of the house of sons. “Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant, but Christ as a son over his own house, whose house are we.” – Hebrews 3:5,6; John 1:13.
Who was the greatest prophet? Jesus.
Additional Resources:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1302: “How Can I Doubt My Doubts? (Part I)”
Learning the difference between constructive and destructive doubts
(John the Baptist discussion at 00:49:13)
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
Episode #1299: “Who is God? (Part III)”
The revolutionary changes Jesus taught us to better understand God
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
