Matthew 18:1

Matthew 18:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
• New International Version (NIV)At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
• English Standard Version (ESV)At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
• New King James Version (NKJV)At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

Context of Matthew 18:1

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2He called a little child and set him before them, 3and said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:1 word by word

Ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ προσῆλθον οἱ μαθηταὶ τῷ Ἰησοῦ λέγοντες· τίς ἄρα μείζων ἐστὶν ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν;Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Atἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the sameἐκεῖνοςekeinos · thatG1565
• timeὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• timeὥραhōra · hourG5610
• cameπροσέρχομαιproserchomai · to come near/agreeG4334
• the disciplesμαθητήςmathētēs · discipleG3101
• unto JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424
• sayingλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• Whoτίςtis · which?G5101
• ·ἆραara · no?G687
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• the greatestμέγαςmegas · greatG3173
• the kingdomβασιλείαbasileia · kingdomG932
• of heavenοὐρανόςouranos · heavenG3772

Cross-references for Matthew 18:1

• Mark 9:33They arrived at Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He asked them, “What were you discussing and arguing about on the road?”
• Matthew 20:20Then [Salome] the mother of Zebedee’s children [James and John] came up to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down [in respect], asked a favor of Him.
• Matthew 23:11But the greatest among you will be your servant.
• Mark 9:34But they kept quiet, because on the road they had discussed and debated with one another which one [of them] was the greatest.
• Mark 10:35James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.”
• Luke 9:46An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest [surpassing the others in esteem and authority].
• Luke 22:24Now a dispute also arose among them as to which of them was regarded to be the greatest.
• Romans 12:10Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor;
• Philippians 2:3Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves.
• Matthew 3:2“Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
• Matthew 5:19So whoever breaks one of the least [important] of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least [important] in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them, he will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
• Matthew 7:21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven.
• Mark 10:14But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and He said to them, “Allow the children to come to Me; do not forbid them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Commentaries on Matthew 18:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1At the same time - Or hour; but is frequently used to signify some particular time: however, instead of , three MSS., all the Itala but four, and Origen, read , day. Origen says both readings were extant in MSS. in his time. Who is the greatest - Could these disciples have viewed the kingdom of Christ in any other light than that of a temporal one? Hence they wished to know whom he would make his prime minister - whom his general - whom his chief…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-6Verses 1-6 See also Mark 9:33-41; Luke 9:46-50. Who is the greatest in the kingdom, of heaven? - By the kingdom of heaven they meant the kingdom which they supposed he was about to set up - his kingdom as the Messiah. They asked the question because they supposed, in accordance with the common expectation of the Jews, that he was about to set up a temporal kingdom of great splendor, and they wished to know who should have the principal offices, and posts…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1The importance of humility. (1-6) Caution against offences. (7-14) The removal of offences. (15-20) Conduct towards brethren, The parable of the unmerciful servant. (21-35) Verses 1-6 Christ spoke many words of his sufferings, but only one of his glory; yet the disciples fasten upon that, and overlook the others. Many love to hear and speak of privileges and glory, who are willing to pass by the thoughts of work and trouble. Our Lord set a little child…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1At that time: Matthew connects the disciples' questions to the earlier teaching about the temple. The disciples started to think their new freedom from Jewish authority gave them their own authority. Jesus had also spoken about special revelations (Matthew 11:25–27; 13:11–17) and about leadership roles (10:2–4; 19:28). This may have caused jealousy and arguments about power among the disciples. Their disputes may have centered on the importance of Peter…Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 18:1

• Jesus, the Christ
• Worldliness

In the dictionaries

• Jesus
• Jesus, Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus
• Gain
• Owe
• Patience
• Church
• God
• Great; Greatness
• Jesus Christ
• Justification

Commentaries on Matthew 18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings