Matthew 18:5-6 NIV

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 18:5

And whoso shall receive one such little child ,.... Which is to be understood, not literally but metaphorically; meaning not such an one in age, but one, as the Syriac renders it, איך טליא דנא , "that is as this child": like unto it for modesty and humility; one, that is as that, free from pride, ambition, and envy. Christ's sense is, that whoever receives his disciples, that are meek and lowly, into their houses, or into their hearts and affections; that receives their ministry and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:6

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones ,.... Not in age, but are little and mean in their own eyes, and contemptible in the esteem of the world; though otherwise men of great grace, gifts, and usefulness; who may be said to be offended, when they are not received; their persons despised, their ministry rejected, and they reproached and persecuted; and everything done to them to discourage, and cause them to stumble and fall, to drop their profession of Christ, to quit his service,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:5

One such little child - As our Lord in the preceding verses considers a little child an emblem of a genuine disciple, so by the term in this verse he means a disciple only. "Whosoever will receive, i.e. show unto such a child-like, unambitious disciple of mine, any act of kindness for my sake, I will consider it as done to myself." read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:6

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones - But, on the contrary, whosoever shall cause one of the least of those who believe in me to be stumbled - to go into the spirit of the world, or give way to sin - such a one shall meet with the most exemplary punishment. Let those who act the part of the devil, in tempting others to sin, hear this declaration of our Lord, and tremble. A millstone - Μυλος ονικος , an ass's millstone, because in ancient times, before the invention of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:5

Verse 5 5.And he that shall receive such a child. The term children is now applied metaphorically by Christ to those who have laid aside lofty looks, and who conduct themselves with modesty and humility. This is added by way of consolation, that we may not account it troublesome or disagreeable to exercise humility, by means of which Christ not only receives us under his protection, but likewise recommends us to the favor of men. And thus believers are taught in what way they ought to esteem... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:6

Verse 6 Matthew 18:6.But whosoever shall offend one of those little ones. This appears to be added for the consolation of the godly, that they may not be rendered uneasy by their condition, if they are despised by the world. It is a powerful obstruction to the voluntary exercise of modesty, when they imagine, that by so doing they expose themselves to contempt; and it is hard to be not only treated disdainfully, but almost trodden under foot, by haughty men. Christ therefore encourages his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:1-5

Heavenly greatness. As they journeyed to Capernaum the disciples of Jesus, like their countrymen, ever disposed to regard the kingdom of Messiah as secular, reasoned and disputed together as to which of them should be the greater in that kingdom. The knowledge of this contention probably influenced the conduct of Jesus in the matter of the tribute, in which he astonished them with an exemplification of supreme greatness in submission (see Matthew 17:22-27 ). A similar lesson is embodied in... read more