Matthew 18:1-3

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Matthew 18:2-5

The demonstration: v. 2. And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them, v. 3. and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. v. 4. Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. v. 5. And whoso shall receive one such little child in My name, receiveth Me. Christ determined to make His answer very plain, His... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Matthew 18:1-14

SECOND SECTIONTHE PRIESTLY ORDER IN THE CHURCH OF CHRISTMatthew 18:1-35.Contents:—This section furnishes a sketch of the Church in its priestly, or in its strictly ecclesiastical, relations. The basis of these is the hierarchy of the service of love (Matthew 18:1-14). Rising on this foundation, the Church is to display, on the one hand, spiritual earnestness by its discipline (Matthew 18:15-20), and, on the other, spiritual gentleness by its absolution (Matthew 18:21-35). This delineation of... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Matthew 18:1-9

Removing Stumbling-Blocks Matthew 18:1-9 Our Lord’s transfiguration suggested that the time to take up His Kingdom was near; and the Apostles began to arrange their plans. The Master therefore used a child for His text and preached a sermon on humility. We must not be childish, but childlike. See 1 Corinthians 13:11 . The beauty of a little child is its unconsciousness, humility, simplicity, and faith. Christ’s kingdom abounds with the rare blending of the warrior and the child. See 2 Kings... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Matthew 18:1-35

What a sad state of heart prompted this question! How absolutely opposed to the whole genius of the Master's teaching and example! He replied by an act, and a statement growing out of that act. The child in the midst was a revelation of the truly great character. To rob a child of its child character is to make it stumble, and the words of Jesus leave no room for doubt how such an act is abhorred by God. The journey into the wilderness is a journey to restore childhood to a wanderer, for it is... read more

James Nisbet

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:1

WHO IS THE GREATEST?‘At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ Matthew 18:1 Three times over during the closing weeks of our Lord’s life do we find this strange strife. Let us look upon these three occasions and learn lessons from them. 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. We can... read more

James Nisbet

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:3

A MISUNDERSTOOD TERM‘Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ Matthew 18:3 When we speak of being converted or a conversion we are using a word which creates a difficulty, and that it does so is largely due to the fact that it has been used in a loose and unguarded way. I. Conversion of two kinds.—There are two kinds of conversion. One sudden, striking, memorable, and all over in a few hours: such was the conversion of St. Paul.... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:1

‘In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest within the Kingly Rule of Heaven?” ’ ‘In that hour’ is similar to ‘at that time’ and connects what is now said with what has just gone before. Three of them (Peter, James and John) were probably already feeling a little smug, with ambitions that were growing (Matthew 20:20-21). They were no doubt conscious that they had been ‘picked out’ and had experienced His glory in the mountain, although none of the others knew about... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:1-4

The One Who Is Greatest In The Kingly Rule of Heaven Is The One Who Has Least Desire To Be So And Does Not Even Think About It (18:1-4). The ‘disciples’ here are the ones who have ‘gathered’ ready to go to Jerusalem with Jesus (Matthew 17:22) and included among them little children. But it would be the twelve and their close compatriots who would approach Jesus with their question (as Mark makes very clear). They were the ones most concerned about their own position. They were becoming more... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:1-35

Guidance For The New Congregation (18:1-19:2). This chapter has been compared with the Manual of Discipline found at Qumran which was intended to regulate a specific community, and has been seen as similarly giving instructions concerning the regulating of the new community of disciples. As a general comparison that may be seen as acceptable, but it is not strictly accurate. For it must be noted that this is not really a Manual of Discipline at all, nor is it set out as such, it is rather a... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 18:2

‘And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them.’ So Jesus looked at His disciples as they gathered eagerly around Him, each hoping for a word of commendation, and then His eye wandered to someone who had not joined their group. It was a little child among the company, one who believed in Him and loved Him, and had no thoughts about greatness. This little child had not joined the seekers after glory. He had not even considered it. He knew that they were more important... read more

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