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

¹ AT that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

² And calling a little child, he set it in the midst of them, ³ and said, I tell you truly, that if you do not turn and become like little children, you can by no means enter into the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Whoever humbles himself like this little child, shall be greatest in the kingdom of heaven; ⁵ and whoever receives one such little child in my name, receives me;

⁶ but whoever offends one of these little ones that believe in me, it would be better for him that a millstone should be hung to his neck, and that he should be plunged into the depths of the sea. ⁷ Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must necessarily come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! ⁸ If your hand or foot offends you, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame, or crippled, than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire. ⁹ And if your eye offends you, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life having one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire.

³³ And he came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house, he asked them, What did you dispute about on the way? ³⁴ And they were silent; for they had disputed with each other on the way as to who was the greatest. ³⁵ And he sat down and called the twelve, and said to them, If any one wishes to be first, he shall he last of all, and a servant of all. ³⁶ And taking a little child, he put it in the midst of them, and taking it in his arms, said to them, ³⁷ Whoever receives one such little child in my name, receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me, but him that sent me.

⁴⁶ And there arose a debate among them, which of them should be the greatest. ⁴⁷ And Jesus perceiving the debate in their minds, took a little child and set it by him, ⁴⁸ and said to them, Whoever receives this little child in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives him that sent me. For he that is least among you all, he shall be the greatest.