John the Baptist was NOT being praised like Catholics praise their so called saints or Mary. In fact, the text puts the Catholic “veneration” nonsense to shame by stating that even he “that is least in the kingdom is greater than he”.
Matthew `11:11 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.
That shows that NO ONE is to be put in some sort of “special class” (remember your statement about your so called saints?) of veneration. Is there actually anything you are correct about? I have seen none.
shows an important point about the veneration of saints: the ability of a saint far exceed the ability of anyone prior to his sanctification in heaven.