Matthew 18:1-9 - The Question About Who Is Greatest

¹ In that hour came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

² And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them, ³ 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. ⁴ Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me:

⁶ But whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea. ⁷ Woe unto the world because of occasions of stumbling! for it must needs be that the occasions come; but woe to that man through whom the occasion cometh! ⁸ And if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed or halt, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire. ⁹ And if thine eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire.

³³ And they came to Capernaum: and when he was in the house he asked them, What were ye reasoning on the way? ³⁴ But they held their peace: for they had disputed one with another on the way, who was the greatest. ³⁵ And he sat down, and called the twelve; and he saith unto them, If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all. ³⁶ And he took a little child, and set him in the midst of them: and taking him in his arms, he said unto them, ³⁷ Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

⁴⁶ And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest. ⁴⁷ But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their heart, he took a little child, and set him by his side, ⁴⁸ and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same is great.