In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
Parallel translations
- KJV At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
- BSB At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
- ESV At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
- NKJV At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
- NASB At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
- NLT About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The disciples ask Jesus who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Their concern for rank exposes pride that Jesus will correct.
Overview
This question opens Jesus' fourth major discourse in Matthew, on life in the community of the kingdom. The disciples assume greatness means status, mirroring worldly ambition. Jesus will overturn this with a call to childlike humility, reshaping how his followers are to view greatness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Mark 9:33–37He came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing among yourselves on the way?”
- Luke 9:46–48There arose an argument among them about which of them was the greatest.
- Matt 20:20–28Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to him with her sons, kneeling and asking a certain thing of him.
- Phil 2:3doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;
- Luke 22:24–27There arose also a contention among them, which of them was considered to be greatest.
- Matt 23:11But he who is greatest among you will be your servant.
- Mark 10:35–45James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask.”
- Mark 10:14–15But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said to them, “Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t forbid them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.
- Rom 12:10In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor preferring one another;
- Matt 7:21Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
- Matt 3:2“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”
- Matt 5:19–20Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 18:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.