Christ declared John the Baptist to be one of the greatest of the prophets, and He showed His hearers that they had had sufficient evidence that John was a messenger from God. The words of the preacher in the wilderness were with power. He bore his message unflinchingly, rebuking the sins of priests and rulers, and enjoining upon them the works of the kingdom of heaven. He pointed out to them their sinful disregard of their Father's authority in refusing to do the work appointed them. He made no compromise with sin, and many were turned from their unrighteousness.

Jesus sagde, at Johannes Døber var en af de største af profeterne, og han viste sine tilhørere, at de havde haft tilstrækkelige beviser på, at Johannes var sendt af Gud. Hans forkyndelse i ørkenen var fyldt med kraft. Han fremførte sit budskab uden omsvøb, idet han irettesatte præsterne og rådsherrerne for deres synder og pålagde dem at udføre de gerninger der var omvendelsen værdige. Han viste dem deres syndige tilsidesættelse af Faderens autoritet, når de nægtede at udføre den gerning, der var blevet dem pålagt. Han gik ikke på akkord med synden, og mange vendte om fra deres ugudelige liv