Matthew 18:1-9 - The Question About Who Is Greatest
1 At the same time came the disciples to Jesus, saying, who is to be the greatest in the kingdom of the Messiah?
2 and Jesus called a child to him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, I declare to you, except ye lay aside your ambition, and become as children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of the Messias. 4 he therefore who shall become as void of ambition as this child, he shall be greatest in the kingdom of the Messiah. 5 and whoever shall receive one that is like such a child, in my name, receiveth me.
6 But whoever shall occasion such an humble believer to fall off from the faith, it were better for him that a mill-stone were hang'd about his neck, and that he were plung'd to the bottom of the sea. 7 wo unto the world, because of such scandals: tho' it cannot be, but that such occasions of relapsing should happen: yet wo to that man by whom the scandal cometh. 8 wherefore if thy hand or thy foot occasions thee to relapse, lop them off, and cast them away: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire. 9 and if thine eye occasions thee to relapse, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two to be cast into hell-fire.
33 At length, he arrived at Capernaum, where being in his own house, he asked his disciples, what were you disputing about by the way? 34 at which they were silent, for upon the road they had disputed about precedency. 35 then sitting down, he address'd himself to the twelve, saying, he that would be the first, must be the last of all, and the servant of all. 36 then taking a little child, he set him down before them; and embracing him in his arms, he said to them, 37 whoever receives such a child as this upon my account, receives me; and he that receiveth me, does not so properly receive me, as the commands of him that sent me.
46 At length they enter'd into a debate, which of them should be the greatest. 47 but Jesus perceiving what they thought, took a child and set him before him: then said to them, 48 whoever receives such a child in my name, receives me: and he that receives me, receives him that sent me. for he that is least among you all, he shall be greatest.