Matthew 11:9-11

Matthew 11:9

But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

a. NLT: Were you looking for a prophet? Yes, and he is more than a prophet.

b. NIV: Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

c. Young’s Literal Translation: 'But what went ye out to see? -- a prophet? yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet,

d. Amplified Bible: But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one [[b]out of the common, more eminent, more remarkable, and] superior to a prophet.

e. Worrell Translation: But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yea, I say to you, and much more than a prophet.

1. “But what went ye out for to see?...”

a. but [235 * alla] [Strong: neuter plural of 243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.]

b. what [5101 * tis] [Strong: probably emphatic of 5100; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.]

c. went ye out [1831 * exerchomai] [Strong: from 1537 and 2064; to issue (literally or figuratively):--come (forth, out), depart (out of), escape, get out, go (abroad, away, forth, out, thence), proceed (forth), spread abroad.]

d. to see [1492 * eido] [Strong: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent 3700 and 3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot.]

2. “…A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.”

a. prophet [4396 * prophetes] [Strong: from a compound of 4253 and 5346; a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet:--prophet.]

b. yea [3483 * nai] [Strong: a primary particle of strong affirmation; yes:--even so, surely, truth, verily, yea, yes.]

c. I say [3004 * lego] [Strong: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.]

d. unto you [5213 * humin] [Strong:  irregular dative case of 5210; to (with or by) you:--ye, you, your(-selves).]

e. and [2532 * aki] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

f. more [4055 * perissoteros] [Strong: comparative of 4053; more superabundant (in number, degree or character):--more abundant, greater (much) more, overmuch.] [Zodhiates: more abundant, greater, more.] [Thayer: exceeding some number or measure or rank or need, over and above, more than is necessary, superadded, exceeding abundantly, supremely, something further, more, much more than all, more plainly, superior, extraordinary, surpassing, uncommon, pre-eminence, superiority, advantage, more eminent, more remarkable, more excellent.]

1). Jesus said that John the Baptist was in rank, was exceedingly above all the other prophets, supreme, superior and more eminent.

g. prophet [4396 * prophetes] [Strong: from a compound of 4253 and 5346; a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet:--prophet.]

1). Jesus was saying here that John the Baptist was not just a prophet, he was more than a prophet, he was the forerunner to the Messiah. Because of that calling Jesus went on to say that John was the greatest prophet born of a woman.

Matthew 11:10

For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

a. NLT: John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way before you.

b. NIV: This is the one about whom it is written: “ ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’

c. Young’s Literal Translation: for this is he of whom it hath been written, Lo, I do send My messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.

d. Amplified Bible: This is the one of whom it is written, Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, who shall make ready Your way before You.

e. Worrell Translation: This is he of whom it has been written, ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Thy face, who shall prepare Thy way before Thee.’

1. “For this is he, of whom it is written…” 

a. for [1063 * gar] [Strong: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. this [3778 * houtos] [Strong:  including nominative masculine plural houtoi hoo'-toy, nominative feminine singular haute how'-tay, and nominative feminine plural hautai how'-tahee from the article 3588 and 846; the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated):--he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who.]

c. is [2076 * esti] [Strong: third person singular present indicative of 1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.]

d. of whom [4012 * peri] [Strong: from the base of 4008; properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive case denoting the subject or occasion or superlative point; with the accusative case the locality, circuit, matter, circumstance or general period):--(there-)about, above, against, at, on behalf of, X and his company, which concern, (as) concerning, for, X how it will go with, ((there-, where-)) of, on, over, pertaining (to), for sake, X (e-)state, (as) touching, (where-)by (in), with. In comparative, it retains substantially the same meaning of circuit (around), excess (beyond), or completeness (through).]

e. whom [3739 * hos] [Strong: including feminine he hay, and neuter ho ho probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

f. it is written [1125 * grapho] [Strong: a primary verb; to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe:--describe, write(-ing, -ten).]

1). John’s ministry as a prophet was the greatest of any of the prophets because he was the forerunner of the Messiah. What a thing to be said of John! His ministry was the greatest of all the prophets because his ministry was to be God’s messenger to prepare the way for the Messiah! Wow! His birth announcement by the angel Gabriel to his father was filled with such words.

a). Luke 1:11-17 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 

1:12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 

1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

1:14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 

1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

1:16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 

1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

2). At John’s circumcision his father prophesied that his birth was a fulfillment of prophetic promises.

a). Luke 1:67-79 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,

1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 

1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; 

1:70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: 

1:71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; 

1:72 To perform the mercy [promised] to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; 

1:73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

1:74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 

1:75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. 

1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

1:78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

2. “…Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.”

a. behold [2400 * idou] [Strong: second person singular imperative middle voice of 1492; used as imperative lo!; --behold, lo, see.]

b. I [1473 * ego] [Strong:  primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):--I, me. For the other cases and the plural see 1691, 1698, 1700, 2248, 2249, 2254, 2257, etc.]

c. send * [649 * apostello] [Strong: from 575 and 4724; set apart, i.e. (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively:--put in, send (away, forth, out), set (at liberty).]

d. my [3450 * mou] [Strong: the simpler form of 1700; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.]

e. messenger [32 * aggelos] [Strong: from aggello (probably derived from 71; compare 34) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor:--angel, messenger.]

f. before [4253 * pro] [Strong:  primary preposition; "fore", i.e. in front of, prior (figuratively, superior) to:--above, ago, before, or ever. In the comparative, it retains the same significations.]

g. thy [4675 * sou] [Strong: genitive case of 4771; of thee, thy:--X home, thee, thine (own), thou, thy.]

h. face [4383 * prospon] [Strong: from 4314 and ops (the visage, from 3700); the front (as being towards view), i.e. the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person:--(outward) appearance, X before, countenance, face, fashion, (men's) person, presence.]

1). Here Jesus was quoting from Malachi and affirming that John was the forerunner of the Messiah.

a). Malachi 3:1  Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.

b). Notice Malachi writes, “my messenger (John the Baptist)…shall prepare the way before Me”. In other words, the pre-incarnate Christ was inspiring Malachi to write these words. 

2). Another forerunner passage is found in Isaiah.

a). Isaiah 40:3-8 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

40:4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:

40:5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

40:6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:

40:7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.

40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

3). John knew he was the forerunner. His father surely instructed him on the words of God that came from the angel announcing his birth but also the inspired words Zacharias himself spoke, when he was filled with the Holy Ghost at his circumcision. See quotations of Luke 1:11-17 & Luke 1:67-79 in first section of the Matthew 11:10 text. When one studies the portions of his preaching made available to us in Scripture it is clear he knew he was the forerunner of the Messiah.

a). Mark 1:1-11 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

1:2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

1:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

1:5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

1:6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

1:7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

1:9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

1:11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

b). Luke 3:1-6 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judaea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and of the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias the tetrarch of Abilene,

3:2 Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.

3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

3:4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

3:5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

3:6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

(1) Notice in Luke 3:2-4 the inspired writer says the word of God came unto John and he begins to quote Isaiah. It has been said that John’s preaching has been saturated with Isaiah.

c). John 1:19-27 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?

1:20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

1:21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.

1:22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?

1:23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

1:24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.

1:25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet?

1:26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;

1:27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

i. which [3739 * hos] [Strong: including feminine he hay, and neuter ho ho probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.]

j. shall prepare [2680 * kataskeuazo; kata-intensive; skeuos-implement, vessel] [Strong: from 2596 and a derivative of 4632; to prepare thoroughly (properly, by external equipment; whereas 2090 refers rather to internal fitness); by implication, to construct, create:--build, make, ordain, prepare.] [Zodhiates: to prepare fully, put in readiness.]

k. thy [4675 * sou] [Strong: genitive case of 4771; of thee, thy:--X home, thee, thine (own), thou, thy.]

l. way [3598 * hodos] [Strong: apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or means:--journey, (high-)way.]

m. before [1715 * emprosthen] [Strong: from 1722 and 4314; in front of (in place (literally or figuratively) or time):--against, at, before, (in presence, sight) of.]

n. thee [4675 * sou] [Strong: genitive case of 4771; of thee, thy:--X home, thee, thine (own), thou, thy.]

Matthew 11:11

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

a. NLT: “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least person in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he is!

b. NIV: Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

c. Young’s Literal Translation: Verily I say to you, there hath not risen, among those born of women, a greater than John the Baptist, but he who is least in the reign of the heavens is greater than he.

d. Amplified Bible:  Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

e. Worrell Translation: Verily I say to you, there has not arisen, among those born of woman, a greater than John the Immerser; yet he that is least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.

f. Wuest Translation: Assuredly, I am saying to you, There has not arisen among those born of women a greaterone than John the Baptizer. However, the person of most humble station in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

1. “Verily I say unto you…” 

a. verily [Strong: 281 amen am-ane'; of Hebrew origin (543); properly, firm, i.e. (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it):--amen, verily.]

b. I say [Strong: 3004 lego leg'-o  a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.]

c. to you [Strong: 5213 humin hoo-min';  irregular dative case of 5210; to (with or by) you:--ye, you, your(-selves).]

2. “…Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist…”

a. among [Strong: 1722 en, en; a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

b. them that are born [Strong: 1084  gennetos ghen-nay-tos'; from 1080; born:--they that are born.]

c. of women [Strong: 1135 gune goo-nay'; probably from the base of 1096; a woman; specially, a wife:--wife, woman.]

d. there hath not [Strong: 3756  ou oo; also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]

e. arisen [Strong: 1453 egeiro eg-i'-ro; probably akin to the base of 58 (through the idea of collecting one's faculties); to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e. rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, nonexistence):--awake, lift (up), raise (again, up), rear up, (a-)rise (again, up), stand, take up.]

f. a greater than [Strong: 3187 meizon mide'-zone; irregular comparative of 3173; larger (literally or figuratively, specially, in age):--elder, greater(-est), more.]

g. John [Strong: 2491 Ioannes ee-o-an'-nace; of Hebrew origin (3110); Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites:--John.]

h. the Baptist [Strong: 910 Baptistes bap-tis-tace'; from 907; a baptizer, as an epithet of Christ's forerunner:--Baptist.]

1). Jesus is saying quite a mouthful here about John and it was because of John’s calling, his ministry of being the forerunner of the Messiah. Jesus said John was “more than a prophet” (Matthew 11:9). For clarity we need to look again what the Greek word for “more” means.  Saints, that includes Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Jonah, all of them.

a). more [4055 * perissoteros] [Strong: comparative of 4053; more superabundant (in number, degree or character):--more abundant, greater (much) more, overmuch.] [Zodhiates: more abundant, greater, more.] [Thayer: exceeding some number or measure or rank or need, over and above, more than is necessary, superadded, exceeding abundantly, supremely, something further, more, much more than all, more plainly, superior, extraordinary, surpassing, uncommon, pre-eminence, superiority, advantage, more eminent, more remarkable, more excellent.]

2). John’s rank as a prophet surpassed all the other prophets. Within Christianity scholars speak of the major and minor prophets. Well here, Jesus is saying John was “the” major prophet. He never wrote a book or did a miracle, yet Jesus said that, because of his ministry as forerunner of the Messiah, he was the greatest prophet. 

2. “…notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

a. notwithstanding [Strong: 1161 de, deh; a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).]

b. he that is least [Strong: 3398  mikros mik-ros',; including the comparative mikroteros mik-rot'-er-os apparently a primary word; small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity):--least, less, little, small.]

c. in [Strong: 1722 en, en; a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

d. the kingdom [932 * basileia] [Strong: from 935; properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively):--kingdom, + reign.]

e. heaven [3772 * ouranos] [Strong: perhaps from the same as 3735 (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel (Christianity):--air, heaven(-ly), sky.]

1). The phrase “kingdom of heaven” is a term referring to the Church age, i.e., the time period between the ascension of Jesus to heaven and the second coming of Christ. As such, Jesus is referring to the New Covenant believers.

f. is [2076 * esti] [Strong: third person singular present indicative of 1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.]

g. greater than [3187 * meizon] [Strong: irregular comparative of 3173; larger (literally or figuratively, specially, in age):--elder, greater(-est), more.]

h. he [846 * autos] [Strong: from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

1). In the passage Matthew 11:9-11, Jesus is saying that John the Baptist was the greatest prophet ever. Surpassing Moses, Isaiah, and Jeremiah, all of them. He then goes on to say in this text, “he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he”. What does that mean? Jesus is saying that the seemingly least significant believer in the New Covenant is greater or surpasses the greatest Old Covenant prophet. It is because we are under a much greater Covenant than they were. Many of the New Covenant benefits available to us were not available to them, beginning with the New Birth. There is so many benefits we could high light that they did not have under the Old Covenant that we have under this Covenant, but those will be highlighted under those verse. I will end the study of this vers with the inspired words of the Apostle Paul when comparing both Covenants with each other.

a). 2 Corinthians 3:7-11   But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:

3:8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

3:9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

3:10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.

3:11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

b). Notice closely in 2 Corinthians 3:10 where he says that compared to the glory of the New Covenant, the Old Covenant had no glory.