1At that very hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" [18:2] And calling a child to himself, he placed him in their midst [18:3] and said, "Truly I say to you: unless you turn completely and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. [18:4] Whoever then will bring himself low like this child — that one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. [18:5] And whoever receives one such child in my name receives me."
MAT 18:1-5
The Greatest in the Kingdom
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts, status and honor were central to social identity. The disciples’ question about who is 'greatest' reflects this cultural preoccupation with rank and prestige, particularly within religious or philosophical groups. Jesus’ response subverts these expectations by pointing to a child, a figure of low status in the ancient world. Children were dependent, powerless, and often overlooked in the honor-shame economy. By calling his disciples to 'turn' and become like children, Jesus challenges them to abandon their pursuit of status and embrace humility , a concept that often carried connotations of social insignificance. Receiving a child 'in the name of Jesus' would have been countercultural, as it required valuing the marginalized and aligning oneself with Jesus’ authority rather than societal norms. This teaching redefines greatness not as dominance or honor but as humility and receptivity to the least esteemed.
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How other translations render this
MAT 18:1
- KJV
- At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
- BSB
- At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
- Koinōnos
- At that very hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
MAT 18:2
- KJV
- And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
- BSB
- Jesus invited a little child to stand among them.
- Koinōnos
- And calling a child to himself, he placed him in their midst
MAT 18:3
- KJV
- And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
- BSB
- “Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
- Koinōnos
- and said, "Truly I say to you: unless you turn completely and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
MAT 18:4
- KJV
- Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
- BSB
- Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
- Koinōnos
- Whoever then will bring himself low like this child — that one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
MAT 18:5
- KJV
- And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
- BSB
- And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me.
- Koinōnos
- And whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MAT 18:1
- hour:The word translated 'hour' here refers to a specific, fixed point in time, not just a general period. It emphasizes the precise moment of the disciples' question.
- [the] greatest:The term translated 'greatest' carries a sense of being preeminent or most important, often implying status, power, or influence in a hierarchical system.
MAT 18:3
- you may turn:The word translated 'you may turn' implies a complete change of direction or a radical reorientation, not just a slight adjustment.
MAT 18:4
- will humble:The word translated 'will humble' means to make low or to bring down, often in a social or status sense, rather than merely being modest or meek.