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

¹ At the same time the disciples came unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of the heavens?

² And Jesus called a little child unto him and set him in the midst of them ³ and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of the heavens. ⁴ Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of the heavens. ⁵ And whosoever shall receive one such little child in my name receives me.

⁶ But whosoever shall cause one of these little ones who believe in me to fall, it would be better for him that a millstone such as is turned by an ass be hanged about his neck and that he be sunk in the depth of the sea. ⁷ Woe unto the world because of offenses! For it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! ⁸ Therefore if thy hand or thy foot cause thee to fall, cut them off and cast them from thee; it is better 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 causes thee to fall, pluck it out and cast it from thee; it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire.

³³ And he came to Capernaum; and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves on the way? ³⁴ But they were silent; for on the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. ³⁵ Then, sitting down, he called the twelve and said unto them, If anyone desires to be first, the same shall be last of all and servant of all. ³⁶ And taking a child, he set him in the midst of them; and taking him in his arms, he said unto them, ³⁷ Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receives me; and whosoever shall receive me, receives not me, but him that sent me.

⁴⁶ Then there arose a dispute among them, which of them should be the greatest. ⁴⁷ But Jesus, seeing the thoughts of their heart, took a child and set him by him, ⁴⁸ and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receives me, and whosoever shall receive me receives him that sent me; for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.