Matthew 11:9

11:9 What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more ¹  than a prophet.

Matthew 11:11

11:11 “I tell you the truth, ²  among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least ³  in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.

[11:9]  ¹ tn John the Baptist is “more” because he introduces the one (Jesus) who brings the new era. The term is neuter, but may be understood as masculine in this context (BDAG 806 s.v. περισσότερος b).

[11:11]  ² tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

[11:11]  ³ sn After John comes a shift of eras. The new era is so great that the lowest member of it (the one who is least in the kingdom of God) is greater than the greatest one of the previous era.