Jesus Reprimands John

After going his own way, not serving Jesus as God would have had him do, John became doubtful that Jesus was the Messiah, and sent his disciples to him, asking, "Are you he is to come, or shall we look for another?" (Matt. 11:3). This clearly proves that John had not trusted in Jesus and failed to serve him.

Jesus was indignant at such a question, and answered quite judgmentally, ". . . blessed is he how takes on offense at me" (Matt. 11:6), indicating that despite Israel's great respect for John, he had already failed his mission for Jesus.

Jesus also said, ". . . among those born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" (Matt. 11:11). If one was the greatest born of women, surely he should be equally as great in the Kingdom of Heaven. Then how could John the Baptist, who was born to be the greatest in history, be less than the least in heaven?