Bobzammel

One thinks that somebody like John The Baptist would get a cushy seat in the Kingdom of Heaven for being the Prophet Of The Highest and all that.
However, Jesus states that John is pretty much on the lowest rung of the Kingdom of Heaven, right above hell pretty much.
What does Jesus mean here? What the heck did John do wrong? Maybe God is just being a sadist again and screwing with one of his "worthy" servants.

Toto

Where does Jesus say this?

Amos

He was the lowest yet the most favorite because Jesus and John were bosom buddies. John was from the netherworld of the subconscius mind and Jesus was from the conscious mind and this is the reason why John could make smooth the path for Jesus. This in turn is why we must be born of water and spirit which now means that we must be baptized in a church where John is allowed to "do his thing."

Peter Kirby

Most likely these passages are in mind.

Matthew 11:11
"I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

Luke 7:28
"I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

best,
Peter Kirby

philechat

Anyone more knowledgeable:

Isn't there something about the Johannites and the Great Heresy some time in the 1st century? Could there actually be some sort of power/secterian struggles between say the Church of John (the leading pre-Christian rival sect) and the Christians?

Geoff Hudson

You could think about this:
[ ] Read out
{ } Read in

(9)Then what did you come out to see? A prophet? Yes, [I tell] {The Spirit tells} you, and more than a prophet.

(10)[This is] {The Spirit} is the one about whom it is written: " 'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'

(11)[I tell] {the Spirit tells} you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than [John the Baptist] {Abraham}; yet he who is least in the [kindom] {Spirit} of [heaven] {God} is greater than he.

(12)From the days of [John the Baptist] {Abraham} until now, the [kingdom] {Spirit} of [heaven] {God} has been [forcefully treated] {rejected.} [, and forceful men lay hold of it].

(13)For all the Prophets [and the Law] prophesied until [John.] {now,} [(14)And if you are willing to accept it,]
he is the [Elijah] {one} who was to come.

(15)He who has [ears] {the Spirit}, let him hear.

Geoff