Parallel Verses

Amplified

and said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

New American Standard Bible

and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

King James Version

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.

Holman Bible

“I assure you,” He said, “unless you are converted and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

International Standard Version

Then he said, "I tell all of you with certainty, unless you change and become like little children, you will never get into the kingdom from heaven.

A Conservative Version

And he said, Truly I say to you, if ye are not turned, and become as children, ye will, no, not enter into the kingdom of the heavens.

American Standard Version

and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.

An Understandable Version

and said, "Truly I tell you, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven unless you turn [your life around] and become like little children [i.e., having child-like humility].

Anderson New Testament

and said: Verily I say to you, Unless you turn and become as little children, you can not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Bible in Basic English

And said, Truly, I say to you, If you do not have a change of heart and become like little children, you will not go into the kingdom of heaven.

Common New Testament

and he said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Daniel Mace New Testament

and said, I declare to you, except ye lay aside your ambition, and become as children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of the Messias.

Darby Translation

and said, Verily I say to you, Unless ye are converted and become as little children, ye will not at all enter into the kingdom of the heavens.

Godbey New Testament

and said, Truly I say unto you, unless you may be converted, and become as little children, you can not enter into the kingdom of the heavens.

Goodspeed New Testament

and he said, "I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven at all.

John Wesley New Testament

And said, Verily I say to you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Julia Smith Translation

And said, Truly I say to you, Except ye be turned, and become as young children, ye should not come into the kingdom of the heavens.

King James 2000

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Lexham Expanded Bible

and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you turn around and become like young children, you will never enter into the kingdom of heaven!

Modern King James verseion

and said, Truly I say to you, Unless you are converted and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

and said, "Verily, I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as children, ye cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Moffatt New Testament

and said, "I tell you truly, unless you turn and become like children, you will never get into the Realm of heaven at all.

Montgomery New Testament

"In solemn truth I tell you that unless you turn and become like little children, you will not even enter the kingdom of heaven.

NET Bible

and said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn around and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven!

New Heart English Bible

and said, "Truly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Noyes New Testament

and said, Truly do I say to you, Unless ye are changed, and become as children, ye will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Sawyer New Testament

and said, I tell you truly, that if you do not turn and become like little children, you can by no means enter into the kingdom of heaven.

The Emphasized Bible

and said - Verily, I say unto you, Except ye turn and become as the children, in nowise, shall ye enter into the kingdom of the heavens.

Thomas Haweis New Testament

and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be changed and be as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Twentieth Century New Testament

"I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven at all.

Webster

And said, Verily I say to you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Weymouth New Testament

said, "In solemn truth I tell you that unless you turn and become like little children, you will in no case be admitted into the Kingdom of the Heavens.

Williams New Testament

and said: "I solemnly say to you, unless you turn and become like little children, you can never get into the kingdom of heaven at all.

World English Bible

and said, "Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Worrell New Testament

and said, "Verily I say to you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Worsley New Testament

and said, Verily I declare unto you, unless ye be converted, and become like little children, ye shall never enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Youngs Literal Translation

and said, 'Verily I say to you, if ye may not be turned and become as the children, ye may not enter into the reign of the heavens;

Themes

Ambition » Christ condemns

Apostles » Moral state of, before pentecost

Babes » A symbol of the children of the kingdom of heaven

Children » Symbolical of the regenerated

Children » Good » Character of, illustrates conversion

Good Children » Spirit of, a requisite for the kingdom of heaven

Christ and children » Declared that a childlike spirit is absolutely essential in religion

Christ's » Attitude toward children » Declared that a childlike spirit is absolutely essential in religion

Conversion » Those that are not converted

Conversion » General references to » Essential to entrance into God's kingdom

Conversion » Is necessary

Despisement » Who not to despise

Divine Requirements » Spiritual necessities emphasized by Christ » A childlike spirit

Heaven/the heavens » Who shall be great in the kingdom of heaven

Humbleness » The humble

Jesus and children » Declared that a childlike spirit is absolutely essential in religion

Jesus Christ » Kingdom of » Its nature

Jesus Christ » Secular notions concerning the kingdom of

Kingdom of God » Who shall be great in the kingdom of God

Kingdom of heaven » Children of the

Offense » Those that offend people who believe in Christ

Receiving » Who receives jesus Christ and the one who sent him

Receiving » Those that receive a child in the name of jesus Christ

Righteous » Compared with » Little children

compared to Saints » Little children

Salvation » Conditions of

Simplicity » Necessity for

Spiritual » Spiritual necessities emphasized by Christ » A childlike spirit

Symbols and similitudes » Childhood

Teachableness » Essential to entrance into God's kingdom

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
And

and, also, even, both, then, so, likewise, not tr., , vr and
Usage: 0

ἔπω 
Epo 
say, speak, tell, command, bid, , vr say
Usage: 824

ἀμήν 
amen 
Usage: 48

I say
λέγω 
Lego 
Usage: 1045

ὑμῖν 
Humin 
you, ye, your, not tr,
Usage: 293

ἐάν 
Ean 
Usage: 155

ye be converted
στρέφω 
Strepho 
Usage: 15

and

and, also, even, both, then, so, likewise, not tr., , vr and
Usage: 0

γίνομαι 
Ginomai 
be, come to pass, be made, be done, come, become, God forbid , arise, have, be fulfilled, be married to, be preferred, not tr, , vr done
Usage: 531

as
ὡς 
Hos 
as, when, how, as it were, about,
Usage: 417

παιδίον 
Paidion 
Usage: 35

ye shall
εἰσέρχομαι 
Eiserchomai 
enter, go, come in, go in, enter in, come, arise
Usage: 120

not
οὐ 
Ou 
not, no, cannot ,
Usage: 1032

εἰσέρχομαι 
Eiserchomai 
enter, go, come in, go in, enter in, come, arise
Usage: 120

εἰς 
Eis 
into, to, unto, for, in, on, toward, against,
Usage: 1267

the kingdom
βασιλεία 
Basileia 
Usage: 54

Devotionals

Devotionals about Matthew 18:3

Images Matthew 18:3

Context Readings

The Question About Who Is Greatest

2 He called a little child and set him before them, 3 and said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.


Cross References

Mark 10:14-15

But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and He said to them, “Allow the children to come to Me; do not forbid them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

1 Peter 2:2

like newborn babies [you should] long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurtured and grow in respect to salvation [its ultimate fulfillment],

1 Corinthians 14:20

Brothers and sisters, do not be children [immature, childlike] in your thinking; be infants in [matters of] evil [completely innocent and inexperienced], but in your minds be mature [adults].

Matthew 19:14

But He said, “Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Psalm 131:2


Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child [resting] with his mother,
My soul is like a weaned child within me [composed and freed from discontent].

Matthew 5:20

“For I say to you that unless your righteousness (uprightness, moral essence) is more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Luke 18:16-17

But Jesus called them to Himself, saying [to the apostles], “Allow the children to come to Me, and do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Luke 22:32

but I have prayed [especially] for you [Peter], that your faith [and confidence in Me] may not fail; and you, once you have turned back again [to Me], strengthen and support your brothers [in the faith].”

Psalm 51:10-13


Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a right and steadfast spirit within me.

Isaiah 6:10


“Make the heart of this people insensitive,
Their ears dull,
And their eyes dim,
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
Hear with their ears,
Understand with their hearts,
And return and be healed.”

Matthew 5:18

For I assure you and most solemnly say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke [of the pen] will pass from the Law until all things [which it foreshadows] are accomplished.

Matthew 6:2

“So whenever you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not blow a trumpet before you [to advertise it], as the hypocrites do [like actors acting out a role] in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored and recognized and praised by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full.

Matthew 6:5

“Also, when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to pray [publicly] standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets so that they may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full.

Matthew 6:16

“And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they put on a sad and dismal face [like actors, discoloring their faces with ashes or dirt] so that their fasting may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full.

Matthew 13:15


For this nation’s heart has grown hard,
And with their ears they hardly hear,
And they have [tightly] closed their eyes,
Otherwise they would see with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart, and turn [to Me]
And I would heal them [spiritually].’

Matthew 19:23

Jesus said to His disciples, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, it is difficult for a rich man [who clings to possessions and status as security] to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 4:12

so that they will continually look but not see, and they will continually hear but not understand, otherwise they might turn [from their rejection of the truth] and be forgiven.”

Luke 13:24

“Strive to enter through the narrow door [force aside unbelief and the attractions of sin]; for many, I tell you, will try to enter [by their own works] and will not be able.

John 1:51

Then He said to him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man [the bridge between heaven and earth].”

John 3:3

Jesus answered him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.”

John 3:5

Jesus answered, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God.

Acts 3:19

So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day];

Acts 14:22

strengthening and establishing the hearts of the disciples; encouraging them to remain firm in the faith, saying, “It is through many tribulations and hardships that we must enter the kingdom of God.”

Acts 28:27


For the heart (the understanding, the soul) of this people has become dull (calloused),
And with their ears they scarcely hear,
And they have shut their eyes [to the truth];
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart and return [to Me],
And I would heal them.”’

James 5:19-20

My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you strays from the truth and falls into error and [another] one turns him back [to God],

2 Peter 1:11

for in this way entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly provided to you.

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain