After two wrong answers, Jesus names the right one. The people already regarded John as a prophet; Matthew later says the multitude "counted him as a prophet" (Matthew 14:5). Barnes says Jesus tells them they were correct to think so. Jesus asked so that He could confirm their belief and then lift it higher: John was more than a prophet.

Jesus answers at once: "yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet" (Matthew 11:9). He explains that John is the one "of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee" (Matthew 11:10). He adds, "there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist," yet "he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" (Matthew 11:11). He even says, "if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come" (Matthew 11:14).

Jesus' words in Matthew 11:10 come from Malachi 3:1, where God promised, "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me." Barnes identifies the quotation. Elias is the Greek form of the name Elijah (Matthew 11:14).

Why more than a prophet? Barnes explains that John surpassed even Isaiah: he lived in the time of Christ, foretold Him with still more clearness, and "was the instrument of introducing him to the nation." Gill says the prophets spoke of the Messiah at a distance, "but he pointed him out with his finger."

This question shows God keeping His word. Malachi had promised a messenger who would prepare the way, and Jesus says John is that messenger (Matthew 11:10). John's greatness came from his place in God's plan: he went "before thy face" to prepare the way for Christ. Barnes concludes, "He was, therefore, first among the prophets."

Then Jesus adds a surprising line: "he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he" (Matthew 11:11). As great as John was, the kingdom he announced is greater still. The question about John ends up pointing past John to the One whose way he prepared.