Luke 7:28
What does Luke 7:28 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 7:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 7:28 means
Jesus then made a profound statement about John's greatness, saying, 'Among them that are born of women there is none greater than John: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of God is greater than he.' While affirming John's unparalleled stature among humanity, this verse also introduces the superior position of even the least in the 'kingdom of God.' This highlights the transformative nature of Christian salvation and the greater spiritual access granted through Christ's completed work, which would usher in the fullness of the New Covenant.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there is none greater than John: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there is none greater than John: yet he that is but little in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I say to you, Among all the sons of women, not one is greater than John: but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for I say to you, a greater prophet, among those born of women, than John the Baptist there is not; but the least in the reign of God is greater than he.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For I say to you: Amongst those that are born of men, there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist. But he that is the lesser in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890for I say unto you, Among them that are born of women a greater [prophet] is no one than John [the baptist]; but he who is a little one in the kingdom ofGod is greater than he.
Context
This verse delivers a powerful two-part statement about John's unique greatness, yet also introduces a theological principle about the 'kingdom of God.' It directly follows Jesus' scriptural identification of John as the prophesied messenger, now offering a comparative evaluation of John's standing, transitional to a broader discussion of responses to God's counsel.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 10:23
And turning to the disciples, he said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
- Matthew 13:16
But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.
- Ephesians 3:8
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
- Luke 3:16
John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but there cometh he that is mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire:
- Luke 1:14
And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
- Hebrews 11:39
And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise,
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