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

¹ At that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Then which one is the greater in the kingdom of the heavens?

² And Jesus calling a little child to Him, placed it in the midst of them, ³ 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. ⁴ Therefore whosoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greater in the kingdom of the heavens; ⁵ and whosoever shall receive such little child in my name, receives me.

⁶ But whosoever may offend one of these little ones, who believe in me, it is good for him that a millstone may be hanged to his neck, and he may be drowned in the depth of the sea. ⁷ Woe unto the world on account of offensives, for it is necessary that offensives come; but woe unto that man through whom the offense comes! ⁸ If thy hand or thy foot offends thee, cut them off and cast them from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into eternal fire. ⁹ And if thine eye offend thee, cast it from thee: it is good for thee having one eye entering into life, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of the fire.

³³ And He came into Capernaum.And He being in the house asked them, What were you disputing about to one another in the way? ³⁴ And they were silent: for they were disputing to one another in the way, who was the greater. ³⁵ And sitting down, He called the twelve; and says to them, If any one wishes to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all. ³⁶ And taking a little child, He placed it in their midst; and taking it up in His arms, He said to them, ³⁷ Whosoever may receive one of such little children in my name, receives me: and whosoever may receive me, receives not me, but Him that sent me.

⁴⁶ And a dispute came in among them, as to which one of them might be the greater. ⁴⁷ And Jesus seeing the dispute of their heart, taking a little child, He placed it by Himself, ⁴⁸ and said to them, Whosoever may receive this little child in my name receives me; and whosoever may receive me receives him that sent me. For he who is least among you all, the same shall be great.