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

¹ In that hour came the disciples to Jesus, saying, Who is the greater in the kingdom of the heavens?

² And Jesus, having called a young child, set it in the midst of them, ³ And said, Truly I say to you, Except ye be turned, and become as young children, ye should not come into the kingdom of the heavens. ⁴ Whoever, therefore, should be humbled as this young child, the same is the greater in the kingdom of the heavens. ⁵ And whoever shall receive such a young child in my name, receives me.

⁶ And whoever should offend one of these little ones believing in me, it is profitable for him that the millstone of an ass be hung upon his neck, and he be sunk in the midst of the sea. ⁷ Woe to the world for offences I for there is necessity for offences to come; but woe to that man by whom the offence comes! ⁸ And if thy hand or thy foot give thee cause of offence, cut them off, and cast from thee: it is good for thee to come into life lame or maimed, than having two hands or two feet to be cast into eternal fire. ⁹ And if thine eye give thee cause of offence, take it out, and east from thee: it is good for thee, one-eyed, to enter into life, than having two eyes to be cast into a hell of fire.

³³ And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What reasoned ye to yourselves in the way ³⁴ And they were silent; for they discussed to one another in the way, who the greatest. ³⁵ And having sat down, he called the twelve, and says to them, If any wish to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all. ³⁶ And having taken a young child, he set him in the midst of them: and having taken it up in his arms, he said to them, ³⁷ Whoever should receive ones of such young children in my name, receives me: and whoever should receive me, receives not me, but him sending me.

⁴⁶ And there came up a conference among them, thus, which of them should be the greatest. ⁴⁷ And Jesus, having seen the reflection of their heart, having taken up a child, set it by himself, ⁴⁸ And he said to them, Whoever should receive this child in my name receives me: and whoever should receive me, receives him having sent me: for he being less among you all, the same shall be great.