At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Parallel translations
- WEB In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
- KJV At the same time came the disciples unto 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 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 9:33–37Then they came to Capernaum. While Jesus was in the house, He asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?”
- Luke 9:46–48Then an argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.
- Matt 20:20–28Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and knelt down to make a request of Him.
- Phil 2:3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
- Luke 22:24–27A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them would be considered the greatest.
- Matt 23:11The greatest among you shall be your servant.
- Mark 10:35–45Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and declared, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”
- Mark 10:14–15But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
- Rom 12:10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.
- Matt 7:21Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
- Matt 3:2and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
- Matt 5:19–20So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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.