Matthew 18:1-9 - The Question About Who Is Greatest
1 In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Who then is greater in the kingdom of the heavens?
2 And having called in a child, Jesus set it in the midst of them. 3 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. 4 He therefore who will make himself lowly as this child, this man is the greater in the kingdom of the heavens. 5 And whoever will receive one such child in my name receives me.
6 But whoever may cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it is advantageous for him that a donkey-powered millstone were hanged on his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of stumbling-blocks. For it is necessary that the stumbling-blocks come, yet woe to that man through whom the stumbling-block comes. 8 And if thy hand or thy foot causes thee to stumble, cut them off and cast from thee. It is good for thee to enter into life crippled or maimed, than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire. 9 And if thine eye causes thee to stumble, remove it and cast it from thee. It is good for thee to enter into life one-eyed, than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire.
33 And he came to Capernaum. And having become in the house he questioned them, What were ye deliberating among yourselves on the way? 34 But they were silent, for on the way they discussed among each other, who is greater. 35 And having sat down, he called the twelve, and he says to them, If any man wants to be first, he will be last of all, and helper of all. 36 And having taken a child, he set it in the midst of them. And after embracing it, he said to them, 37 Whoever may receive one of such children in my name, receives me, and whoever may receive me, does not receive me, but him who sent me.
46 But a thought entered among them, which of them may be greater. 47 But having perceived the thought of their heart, having taken a child, Jesus stood it beside him, 48 and he said to them, Whoever may receive this child in my name receives me, and whoever may receive me receives him who sent me, for he who exists smaller among you all, this man will be great.