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"Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" (Mt 11:11). What does this verse mean?

St. Augustine says, "Among them that are born of women," saith the Lord, "there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding, he that is less in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he;" less in time, but greater in majesty. This He said, meaning Himself to be understood. Now exceedingly great among men is John the Baptist, than whom among men Christ alone is greater. It may also be thus stated and explained, "Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding, he that is the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." Not in the sense that I have before explained it. "Notwithstanding, he that is the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he;" the kingdom of heaven he meant where the Angels are; he then that is the least among the Angels, is greater than John. Thus He set forth to us the excellence of that kingdom which we should long for; set before us a city, of which we should desire to be citizens. What sort of citizens are there? How great are they! Whoso is the least there, is greater than John. Than what John? "Than whom there hath not risen a greater among them that are born of women."

Our Lord Jesus Christ witnessed to St. John the Baptist saying "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" (Mt 11:11).

St. Augustine offers two explanations to this verse. The first is that "the least" could be referring to the Lord Jesus Christ, being younger, age wise, than John. The second explanation is that the kingdom of heaven is the world of the angels and that St. John the Baptist being born of a woman is not greater than the angels.

A third explanation is that St. John was a great prophet and messenger who prepared the way for the Lord and deserved to be called the greatest among those born of women. However, every Christian born after the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ; filled with the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, and  have witnessed and lived under the New Covenant, is greater than St. John the Baptist regarding the honor received which the Old Testament prophets had desired to see and hear but had never attained. Although St. John had had the chance to know about our Lord while still in his mother's womb (Lk 1:15); yet having been under the old Covenant (Rom 7:14-8:4); he could not enjoy "the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" (Tit 3:5-7), nor receive the gift of the Spirit (Act 2:38).