Matthew 18:2-4 NIV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:4

Verse 4 4.Whosoever shall humble himself like this little child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. This is intended to guard us against supposing that we degrade ourselves in any measure by freely surrendering every kind of distinction. And hence we may obtain a short definition (500) of humility. That man is truly humble who neither claims any personal merit in the sight of God, nor proudly despises brethren, or aims at being thought superior to them, but reckons it enough that he... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:1-4

The greatest in the kingdom of heaven . 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:1-14

The little ones. I. THEIR EXAMPLE . 1 . The question of the apostles . They had not yet learned the great lesson of humility. Perhaps the favour shown to Peter, James, and John had excited jealousies among them. On their way to Capernaum they had disputed who should be the greatest. After all the Lord's teaching they did not yet understand the spiritual nature of his kingdom. There are rivalries and animosities in earthly states; there should be none in that kingdom where the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:1-14

Necessity of becoming like little children. To discuss in the abstract the question who shall be greatest in the kingdom of heaven, is a profitable employment. But when discussed with personal reference, and in view of present competing claims, there must inevitably be jealousies and rivalries, vanity and hatred. That his reply might lodge in their minds, and be audible to all generations, our Lord gives it dramatically. He calls a little child to him, perhaps one of Peter's children.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:1-35

Discourse concerning the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and the mutual duties of Christians . ( Mark 9:33-50 ; Luke 9:46-50 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:2

A little child. Our Lord teaches, not only by spoken parables, but by symbolical actions also. This was not a mere infant, as Christ is said to have called him unto him. A tradition, mentioned by Nicephorus ('Hist. Eccl.,' 2.35), asserts that this child was the famous martyr Ignatius. Set him in the midst of them. Taking him in his arms, as St. Mark tells. What a picture of Christ's tenderness and human love! From the boy's trustfulness and submission he draws a needed lesson for the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:3

Except ye be converted στραφῆτε ); i . e . turned from proud, ambitious thoughts of worldly dignity. There is no question here about what is popularly known as conversion—the change from habitual sin to holiness. The conversion here spoken of is confined to a change in the present state of mind—to a new direction given to the thoughts and wishes. The apostles had shown rivalry, jealousy, ambition: they must turn away from such failings, and learn a different lesson. Become as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:1-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:1-35

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:3

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