Matthew 18:4

The Question About Who Is Greatest

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. ⁵ Whoever receives and welcomes one child like this in My name receives Me;

Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven

Kingdom of Heaven

Little Child

Messiah

Matthew 23:11-12

But the greatest among you will be your servant.

Psalm 131:1-2

Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;
Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too difficult for me.

Isaiah 57:15

For the high and exalted One
He who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy says this,
“I dwell on the high and holy place,
But also with the contrite and humble in spirit
In order to revive the spirit of the humble
And to revive the heart of the contrite [overcome with sorrow for sin].

Matthew 18:1

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

Matthew 20:26-27

It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,

Mark 10:43

But this is not how it is among you; instead, whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant,

Luke 9:48

and He told them, “Whoever welcomes this child in My name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me [also] welcomes Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you [that is, the one who is genuinely humble—the one with a realistic self-view]—he is the one who is [truly] great.”

Luke 14:11

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled [before others], and he who habitually humbles himself (keeps a realistic self-view) will be exalted.”

James 4:10

Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose].

1 Peter 5:5

Likewise, you younger men [of lesser rank and experience], be subject to your elders [seek their counsel]; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another [tie on the servant’s apron], for God is opposed to the proud [the disdainful, the presumptuous, and He defeats them], but He gives grace to the humble.