About John the Baptist

Matthew 11:7-11 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist…

Jesus here confirmed the status of John as His Forerunner. It is usual for Divine Envoys to have Forerunners who prepare the way for them in terms of loosening the soil of the souls of the people for the receipt of the Message of the Divine Messenger. They are meant in advance to tell the people about God and His Messenger so that the generality of the people will more easily recognize the Envoy when He comes. John was on a pure spiritual mission and he had no time for anything superfluous. He took only what he needed for his earthly existence as anything more would distract him and make the fulfillment of his mission more difficult.

Among those born of women refers to we earthmen; human beings. Jesus again here confirms something hitherto unknown about John. He was not an ordinary human being. His origin goes beyond that realm from which human beings have their origin. So among those normally born of women, which would refer to earthmen, none is greater than John. That is indeed literally true as John’s spiritual origin goes beyond those of earthmen.