Matthew 18:1–5

 ¹ At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ² Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, ³ and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

Commentary

Vs. 1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 

Both Mark and Luke’s Gospel record this event as following a “dispute” amongst the disciples as to who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (see Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48). The location then is in Capernaum where Jesus is sitting in a house. 

 Vs. 2-3 ² Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, ³ and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

 In responding to the disciple’s question, the Lord Jesus now takes a little child and sets him in the midst of them and says to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” It is then a wonderful visual example of childlike faith and humble submission to the Lord; something that is required of us all; and something that the disciples were lacking at that moment in their own desires to be “great.”

Vs. 4-5 ⁴ Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

The Lord Jesus then having called and then set a child in the midst of them and said to them (and us all): “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Now answers the disciple’s question by saying: “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”

By doing so Jesus was through the example of a little child’s trusting innocence correcting the disciples misguided focus that was then only focused on seeking positions of “greatness” for themselves; something which when taken to its fulness only leads to dissensions and divisions amongst brethren (consider Phil. 2:3; James 3:16). Therefore, in doing so the disciples had lost their focus on Jesus’ Life and Ministry on earth, which was not about pursuing or desiring greatness or great things for Himself, but about loving and serving humanity in their deepest needs. Therefore, to answer the disciple’s question, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” The Lord Jesus says: “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Childlike humility then is what equates with greatness in the kingdom of heaven; not the driven ambitions of self-seeking and self-serving individuals. Now the Lord Jesus follows that up by saying, “Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.” Indicating that anyone who receives a disciple of Christ who exemplifies the same humble disposition receives Christ!

Scripture Quotations

The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.