Why does Jesus introduce his statement regarding the greatness of John the Baptist with the words Truly, I say to you?
En bref
Jesus says Truly, I say to you
to solemnly assure the crowds, and demand their belief, that no prophet (see Matthew 24:11, Matthew 24:24; John 7:52) has arisen who is greater than John the Baptist.
With the words Truly, I say to you,
Jesus provides a solemn assurance regarding John the Baptist that demands acceptance through faith. Among all those born of women—among all human beings—no prophet (see Matthew 24:11, Matthew 24:24; John 7:52) has arisen who is greater than John the Baptist. For the listening crowds, this affirmed their already pre-existing positive view of the great prophet John. Yet Jesus here again highlights this point emphatically: John is the greatest of all.1
11 Je vous le dis en vérité, parmi ceux qui sont nés de femmes, il n'en a point paru de plus grand que Jean-Baptiste. Cependant, le plus petit dans le royaume des cieux est plus grand que lui.