Matthew 18:1-2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 18:1-6

As there never was a greater pattern of humility, so there never was a greater preacher of it, than Christ; he took all occasions to command it, to commend it, to his disciples and followers. I. The occasion of this discourse concerning humility was an unbecoming contest among the disciples for precedency; they came to him, saying, among themselves (for they were ashamed to ask him, Mark 9:34), Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? They mean not, who by character (then the question had... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 18:1-35

Matthew 18:1-35 is a most important chapter for Christian Ethics, because it deals with those qualities which should characterize the personal relationships of the Christian. We shall be dealing in detail with these relationships as we study the chapter section by section; but before we do so, it will be well to look at the chapter as a whole. It singles out seven qualities which should mark the personal relationships of the Christian. (i) First and foremost, there is the quality of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:1

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus ,.... When the receivers of the half shekel had spoke to Peter about his master's paying it, and Christ and he had conversed about it, by whose orders he had taken up a fish out of the sea, and from it a piece of money, which he had paid for them both; just at this time came the other eleven disciples to the house where Christ and Peter were: saying, who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven ? Mark says, that the disciples disputed this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:2

And Jesus called a little child unto him ,.... One, very likely, that was in the house, and might belong to the master of it, and which was big enough to come to him at his call. Some have thought that this was Ignatius the martyr, but without any foundation. His own words, in his epistle to the church at Smyrna F25 p. 3. Ed. Voss. , can give no countenance to it; where he says, "for I also know, that after his resurrection he was in the flesh, and I believe that he is." The Latin... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:1

At the same time - Or hour; but ωρα is frequently used to signify some particular time: however, instead of ωρα , three MSS., all the Itala but four, and Origen, read ημερα , day. Origen says both readings were extant in MSS. in his time. Who is the greatest - Could these disciples have viewed the kingdom of Christ in any other light than that of a temporal one? Hence they wished to know whom he would make his prime minister - whom his general - whom his chief chancellor - whom... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:2

A little child - But this child could walk, for he called him to him. Nicephorus says, this was Ignatius, who was afterwards bishop of Antioch, and suffered martyrdom under, and by command of, the Roman Emperor Trojan, in the 107th year of our Lord. But this good father is not much to be depended on, being both weak and credulous. read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 1 Matthew 18:1.At that time the disciples came to Jesus. It is evident from the other two Evangelists, that the disciples did not come to Christ of their own accord, but that, having secretly disputed on the road, they were brought out of their lurking-places, and dragged forth to light. There is nothing inconsistent with this in the account given by Matthew, who hastens to Christ’s reply, and does not relate all the circumstances of the case, but passes over the commencement, and relates... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:2

Verse 2 2.And Jesus called a child to him. The general meaning is, that those who desire to obtain greatness by rising above their brethren, will be so far from gaining their object that they do not even deserve to occupy the lowest corner. He reasons from contraries, because it is humility alone that exalts us. As we are more powerfully affected by appearances presented to the eyes, he holds up to them a little child as an emblem of humility. When he enjoins his followers to become like a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:1

At the same time ; literally, in that hour . The narrator connects the following important discourse with the circumstances just previously related. Peter had completed the business of the didrachma, and had rejoined the body of disciples. These, according to St. Mark, had disputed about precedency on the way to Capernaum. Fired with the notion that their Master would ere long publicly assert his Messianic claims, which, in their view, implied temporal sovereignty and secular power,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:1-3

The kingdom of type childlike. Jesus Christ not only resorted to parables in order to make his teaching vivid; sometimes he made use of object lessons. Thus he answered the question as to who was greatest in the kingdom of heaven by pointing to the little child whom he had called to himself, and set up in the midst of his disciples. The child himself was a visible embodiment of the reply our Lord wished his questioners to receive. I. THE TYPE OF THE KINGDOM . The kingdom of... read more

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