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

¹ The same time the disciples came to Jesus saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

² Jesus called a child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, ³ and said, "Verily, I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as children, ye cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whosoever receiveth such a child in my name, receiveth me.

⁶ But whosoever offend one of these little ones, which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. ⁷ Woe be unto the world because of evil offenses! Howbeit, it cannot be avoided but that offenses shall be given. Nevertheless, woe be to the man, by whom the offense cometh. ⁸ "Wherefore if thy hand, or thy foot, offend thee, cut him off, and cast him from thee. It is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed; rather than thou shouldest, having two hands or two feet, be cast in to everlasting fire. ⁹ And if also thine eye offend thee, pluck him out and cast him from thee. It is better for thee to enter in to life with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hellfire.

³³ And he came to Capernaum, and when he was come to house, he asked them, "What was it that ye disputed between you by the way?" ³⁴ And they held their peace: for by the way they reasoned among themselves, who should be the chiefest. ³⁵ And he sat down, and called the twelve unto him, and said to them, "If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant unto all." ³⁶ And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them, and took him in his arms and said unto them, ³⁷ "Whosoever receive any such a child in my name, receiveth me:

⁴⁶ Then there arose a disputation among them: who should be the greatest. ⁴⁷ When Jesus perceived the thoughts of their hearts, he took a child, and set him hard by him, ⁴⁸ and said unto them, "Whosoever receiveth this child in my name, receiveth me. And whosoever receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me. For he that is least among you all, the same shall be great."