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

¹ At that time the disciples came near to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?"

² And, having called a little child to Him, He placed it in the midst of them, ³ and said, "Verily I say to you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. ⁴ Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, he is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. ⁵ And whosoever receives one such little child in My name, receives Me.

⁶ But whosoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a large millstone be hanged about his neck, and he be sunk in the depth of the sea. ⁷ "Woe to the world because of stumbling-blocks! for there is a necessity that the stumbling-blocks come; but woe to the man through whom the stumbling-block comes! ⁸ "And, if your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from you; it is good for you to enter into life maimed or lame, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire. ⁹ "And, if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from you; it is good for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Hell of fire.

³³ And they came to Capernaum. And, when He was in the house, He asked them, "Concerning what were ye reasoning in the way?" ³⁴ But they were silent; for they disputed with one another in the way, who was the greatest. ³⁵ And, sitting down, He called the twelve, and saith to them, "If any one wishes to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all." ³⁶ And, taking a little child, He set it in the midst of them; and, holding it in His arms, He said to them, ³⁷ "Whosoever receives one of such little children in My name, receives Me; and whosoever receives Me, receives not Me, but Him Who sent Me."

⁴⁶ And there entered a reasoning among them, as to which of them should be greatest. ⁴⁷ Now Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their heart, taking a child, placed it by Himself, ⁴⁸ and said to them, "Whosoever shall receive this child in My name, receives Me; and whosoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for he that is least among you all, the same is great."