Matthew 18:1-3 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:3

Christ's type of the truly great. We treat this as an abstract question. What is true greatness? Who is the truly great man? But the disciples asked a practical question, bearing immediate relation to their temporal expectations. They, and their conversations, can never be understood unless we keep in mind their earthly ideas of their Lord's mission. Judas, with the grasping disposition, was anticipating his chances in the new kingdom; and even James and John were scheming to secure a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 18:1-6

See also Mark 9:33-41; Luke 9:46-50.Who is the greatest in the kingdom, of heaven? - By the kingdom of heaven they meant the kingdom which they supposed he was about to set up - his kingdom as the Messiah. They asked the question because they supposed, in accordance with the common expectation of the Jews, that he was about to set up a temporal kingdom of great splendor, and they wished to know who should have the principal offices, and posts of honor and profit. This was among them a frequent... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 18:1

Matthew 18:1. At the same time When Jesus had just foretold his own sufferings, death, and resurrection; came the disciples, saying, Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Which of us shall be thy prime minister in the kingdom which thou art about to set up? which they still thought would be a temporal kingdom. That this was their meaning, appears evident from the parallel passages, Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48, (where see the notes.) So that just after the Lord Jesus had predicted that... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 18:2

Matthew 18:2. And Jesus Perceiving the thought of their heart, says Luke, or the dispositions by which they were animated, and their ambitious views and expectations; in order to check and eradicate all such sinful inclinations and affections, he called a little child, and set him in the midst of them That they might consider him attentively, and learn by the sweetness, docility, and modesty visible in his countenance, what the temper and dispositions of his disciples ought to be, and how... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 18:3-4

Matthew 18:3-4. And said, Verily I say unto you What I say is an undoubted and most important truth, a truth which you ought not only firmly to believe but seriously to lay to heart: except ye be converted Turned from these worldly and carnal views and desires; and become like little children “Free from pride, covetousness, and ambition, and resemble them in humility, sincerity, docility, and disengagement of affection from the things of the present life, which excite the ambition of... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:1-14

78. Lessons in humility (Matthew 17:22-23; Matthew 18:1-14; Mark 9:30-50; Luke 9:44-50)Despite Jesus’ statement to his disciples that he was heading towards humiliating suffering and death (Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:44-45), they were arguing among themselves about who would have the important places in his kingdom. Jesus rebuked them, explaining that the way to spiritual greatness is through choosing the lowest place and serving others. To enter the kingdom of God, people must... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 18:1

At = In. Greek. en. App-104 . time = hour. Who = Who, then. greatest = greater. Put by Figure of speech Heterosis (of Degree) for greatest. See App-6 . the kingdom of heaven. See App-114 . heaven = the heavens (plural) See note on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 18:2

little child. Greek. paidion. App-108 . him = it. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 18:3

Verily. See note on Matthew 5:18 . Except = Unless. Literally "If ye be not". Assuming the possibility. be converted = be turned: i.e. to God, in repentance. not = by no means. Greek. ou me. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 18:1

MATT. 18QUESTIONS OF RANK; REGARDING STUMBLING-BLOCKS; THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP; ONE'S DUTY TOWARD OFFENDERS; THE PARABLE OF THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANTIn that hour came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (Matthew 18:1)The term "greatest" is actually "greater" in the Greek, but the meaning is the same. The apostles had been disputing among themselves concerning preeminence and places of honor in the approaching kingdom. The events of the last... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 18:1-6

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 18:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 18:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 18:3-4

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:1-14

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 18:1

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 18:2

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 18:3

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 18:1

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