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John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Matthew 18:1

18:1 greatest (d-13) The Greek word is the comparative, hence 'greater' than others. it is thus characteristic, not personal. 'Greatest' answers to it in English. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:1-35

Offending the Little Ones. The Unmerciful Servant1-14. Ambition reproved, and humility taught by the example of a little child (Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48).1. Who is the greatest?] RV ’Who then is greatest?’ The ’then’is explained from St. Mark’s statement that on the way to Capernaum the disciples had been disputing who was the greatest. The Transfiguration had revived the hopes of the three leading apostles that the Kingdom of Christ was about to be established, and the Twelve were divided... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 18:1

XVIII.(1) Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?—St. Mark records more fully that they had disputed about this in the way, that our Lord, knowing their thoughts (Luke 9:47), asked them what had been the, subject of their debate, and that they were then silent. We may well believe that the promise made to Peter, and the special choice of the Three for closer converse, as in the recent Transfiguration, had given occasion for the rival claims which thus asserted themselves. Those who were... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Matthew 18:1-35

Spiritual Sins Matthew 18:1 I. Spiritual Envy. Our text relates to the first occasion. Our Lord has just taken St. Peter, St. James and St. John away from the other disciples into the Mount of Transfiguration. The other disciples had doubtless plied them with questions, but they could get no information from them as to what had happened. We can understand their thought how on the part of the nine disciples there may have been envy at this time, envy of the other three because of the greater... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:1-35

7Chapter 14Last Words at Capernaum - Matthew 17:22-27; Matthew 18:1-35THE TEMPLE TRIBUTE {Matthew 17:22-27}THE way southward lies through Galilee; but the time of Galilee’s visitation is now over, so Jesus avoids public attention as much as possible, and gives Himself up to the instruction of His disciples, especially to impressing upon their minds the new lesson of the Cross, which they find it so very hard to realise, or even to understand. A brief stay in Capernaum was to be expected; and... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Matthew 18:1-35

6. Instructions to His Disciples. Concerning Forgiveness. CHAPTER 18 1. Concerning the Little Ones and Offences. (Matthew 18:1-10 .) 2. The Son of Man to Save What is Lost. (Matthew 18:11-14 .) 3. The Church Anticipated and Instructions Concerning it. (Matthew 18:15-20 .) 4. Concerning Forgiveness. (Matthew 18:21-35 .) So closely is this chapter connected with the events of the previous one that it should not be divided into a separate chapter at all. It was “in that hour” the disciples... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:1-35

Though the Lord Jesus has been seen to forego His own rights, He who is by right infinitely great, the disciples show the opposite attitude in desiring some rights above those of others in the kingdom. This is evident (though perhaps thinly veiled) in their question as to who is greater in the kingdom. They all need the object lesson the Lord gives them. Calling a little child (who obediently comes), He virtually tells them that one who desired greatness would not even enter the kingdom, let... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:1-35

SECOND STATEMENT OF DEATH The first announcement of His death and resurrection by our Lord in the last lesson, connected His suffering with the act of His own nation, while this predicts the part played in it by one of His own band (Matthew 17:22-23 ). It furnishes a starting point for a new lesson as in the other case. The incident concluding chapter 17, is full of suggestive teaching. It is the temple tribute that is in mind, about sixty cents of our money, and Peter in saying “Yes,” has... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Matthew 18:1-14

Chapter 72 Prayer Almighty God, we have come at the appointed time to the appointed place, and we know that thou wilt be more gracious to hear than we can be expressive in prayer; thine answer is greater than our request, as thy grace is greater than our sin. Thou art able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think: as the heaven is high above the earth, so is thy thought high above our thought. In thy presence we see our littleness, and before the unsearchable riches of Christ... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Matthew 18:1

CONTENTS The Lord Jesus is here teaching his disciples humbleness, He speaks of his own, and his Father's good pleasure, for the salvation of everyone of his little ones. The Chapter is closed in a parable. read more

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