Matthew 18:1-3

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

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 18:2

(2) Jesus called a little child unto him.—As the conversation was “in the house” (Mark 9:33), and that house probably was Peter’s, the child may have been one of his. As in other like incidents (Matthew 19:13; Matthew 21:15-16), we may recognise in our Lord’s act a recognition of the special beauty of childhood, a tender love for the gracious trust and freedom from rivalry which it shows when, as yet, the taint of egotism is undeveloped. St. Mark adds that He folded His arms round the child as... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 18:3

(3) Except ye be converted.—The English word expresses the force of the Greek, but the “conversion” spoken of was not used in the definite, half-technical sense of later religious experiences. What was needed was that they should “turn” from their self-seeking ambition, and regain, in this respect, the relative blamelessness of children.Ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.—The force of the words as spoken to the Twelve can hardly be exaggerated. They were disputing about precedence in... 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

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Matthew 18:2

18:2 {1} And Jesus called a {a} little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,(1) Humbleness of mind is the right way to preeminence.(a) A child in years. read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Matthew 18:3

18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be {b} converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.(b) An idiom taken from the Hebrews which is equivalent to "repent". 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

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