“But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 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. And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” {2SP 72.2}

»Hvorfor gik I ud i ørkenen for at se et rør, som svajer hid og did for vinden? Nej, hvorfor gik I ud, for at se et menneske, klædt i bløde klæder? Se, de, som går med bløde klæder, er i kongernes slotte. Nej, hvorfor gik I ud, for at se en profet? Ja, jeg siger jer, endog mere end en profet. Han er den, om hvem der står skrevet: »Se, jeg sender min engel for dit åsyn, han skal bane din vej foran dig.« Sandelig siger jeg eder: blandt kvindefødte er der ikke fremstået nogen større end Johannes Døber; men den mindste i Himmeriget er større end han. Og fra Johannes Døbers dage indtil nu tages Himmeriget med storm, og de, der stormer det, river det til sig."