At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who 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?”
- 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 9:33–37And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
- Luke 9:46–48Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.
- Matt 20:20–28Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
- Phil 2:3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
- Luke 22:24–27And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
- Matt 23:11But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
- Mark 10:35–45And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
- Mark 10:14–15But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
- Rom 12:10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
- Matt 7:21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
- Matt 3:2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
- Matt 5:19–20Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall 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.