Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Parallel translations
- WEB Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
- BSB Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
- ESV Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
- NKJV Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
- NASB So whoever will humble himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
- NLT So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the 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
True greatness in the kingdom belongs to whoever humbles himself like a child. Jesus redefines greatness as lowliness, not status.
Overview
Answering the disciples' question directly, Jesus says the greatest is the most humble. This reverses worldly measures of importance and points to the character of Christ himself, who humbled himself even to the cross (Philippians 2:5-8). Greatness in God's kingdom is measured by self-lowering love.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Jas 4:10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
- Mark 10:43But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
- Luke 14:11For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
- Luke 9:48And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
- Matt 23:11–12But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
- Matt 20:26–27But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
- 1 Pet 5:5Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
- Matt 18:1At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
- Ps 131:1–2Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
- Isa 57:15For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
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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 18:4 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
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