Luke 7:24-30 Who is John the Baptist? "More than a Prophet"

When the messengers of John the Baptist had left,
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John.
"What did you go out to the desert to see a reed swayed by the wind?
Then what did you go out to see?
Someone dressed in fine garments?
Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously
are found in royal palaces.
Then what did you go out to see?
A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom Scripture says:

Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
he will prepare your way before you.

I tell you,
among those born of women, no one is greater than John;
yet the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he."
(All the people who listened, including the tax collectors,
who were baptized with the baptism of John,
acknowledged the righteousness of God;
but the Pharisees and scholars of the law,
who were not baptized by him,
rejected the plan of God for themselves.)

Today's passage reminds us of the importance of John the Baptist, Forerunner of Christ. John holds a precious place in the Gospels. M. Stienhouser believes that John actually ministered with Jesus and they baptized together prior to Jesus' individual ministry. In this passage we see that John the Baptist has stayed away from urban areas and did not dress in fine garments nor did he live sumptuously. This is why some scholars believe John the Baptist may have been associated with the Essenes Community.