John's privilege among prophets is somewhat analogous to Mary's privilege among women. No prophet is closer to Christ than John. Christ did not call him the greatest of all the prophets and more than a prophet (Mt 11:9) because he was more complete in his eloquence, his wisdom, or even his sanctity, than any other prophet, but because he completed the whole era of prophets, the Old Law, or Old Covenant, in introducing Christ to the world. As Mary's womb gave Christ to the world ontologically, John's baptism gave Christ to the world epistemologically.