Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 11:11

11 Verily I say unto you, amongst them that are born of women, there hath not arisen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven, is greater than he.

St. Luke hath the same, ch. 7.27, 28. only he saith, There hath not arisen a greater Prophet, than Iohn the Baptist, It was written, Malachy 3.1. Behold I will send my Messenger before my Face, and he shall prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek, shall suddenly come to his Temple, even the Messenger of the Covenant, whom you delight in. Behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts. The latter part was a Prophecy of Christ. The former part, a Prophecy of Iohn the Baptist, and applied to him not in this Text only, but Mar. 1.2. Luk. 1.76. & 7.27. Christ is set out as a great Prince, who sends his Harbingers before him to prepare his way, and by Iohns Preaching we may learn the Ministers Duty, who are to prepare Christ's way to peoples Souls, viz. To Preach Repentance and Faith in Christ. Verily I say unto you, amongst those that are born of Women, there hath not arisen a greater: That is, (as Luke expounds it) a greater Prophet. i. e. Amongst all the Prophets of the Old Testament, God raised up none greater than Iohn. But he that is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. Mr. Calvin and many others think that by this Phrase is to be understood, the least of those who shall Preach the Gospel after my Resurrection, will be greater than he, that is, as to their Doctrine. Iohn could only declare me to be come. They shall Preach me, as having died for my Peoples Sins, and risen again for their justification▪ Rom. 4.25. The Death, and the Resurrection of Christ, were indeed great Points of the Gospel, which Iohn could only Prophecy of, not Preach of, and declare us things in his time accomplished.