For all his greatness, (a prophet, yes and more than a prophet, a herald of God and one who is greater than any born of woman). John is less in the Kingdom than the "least". (In Mt. 23:11 Jesus speaks of 'the greatest among you' who is to become "servant" or least). Though John had announced the coming of the Kingdom, he did not experience the kingdom which Jesus announced. The followers of Jesus who belong to the new dispensation of the Kingdom are more "privileged" than the Baptist, as they can actually see the Kingdom before them, in Jesus.

The violent opponents of the Kingdom are trying to prevent its coming and thus snatch it away from those who would welcome it. Both John the Baptist and Jesus, were violently opposed by the leaders of the people and their followers persecuted, then and now. But the signs of the Kingdom are there/here and Jesus asks for attentive listening and acceptance of His teaching about Himself and John the Baptist.

The covenanted relationship that Isaiah foretells, describes the time of Jesus, who will welcome the lost sheep, the lost son, the poor, the blind, the lepers, publicans and sinners - the very ones who suffer violence at the hands of the religious and secular authorities.