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

In that hour the disciples came to Jesus saying, Who then is greatest in the kingdom of the heavens? 2And Jesus having called a little child to [him], set it in their midst, 3and said, Verily I say to you, Unless ye are converted and become as little children, ye will not at all enter into the kingdom of the heavens.

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

• hourὥραhōra · hourG5610
• disciplesμαθητήςmathētēs · discipleG3101
• cameπροσέρχομαιproserchomai · to come near/agreeG4334
• JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424
• sayingλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• thenἄραara · thereforeG686
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• greatestμέγαςmegas · greatG3173
• kingdomβασιλείαbasileia · kingdomG932
• heavensοὐρανόςouranos · heavenG3772

Cross-references for Matthew 18:1

• Mark 9:33And he came to Capernaum, and being in the house, he asked them, Of what were ye reasoning by the way?
• Matthew 20:20Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee, with her sons, doing homage, and asking something of him.
• Matthew 23:11But the greatest of you shall be your servant.
• Mark 9:34And they remained silent, for by the way they had been reasoning with one another who [was] greatest.
• Mark 10:35And there come to him James and John, the sons of Zebedee, saying [to him], Teacher, we would that whatsoever we may ask thee, thou wouldst do it for us.
• Luke 9:46And a reasoning came in amongst them, who should be [the] greatest of them.
• Luke 22:24And there was also a strife among them which of them should be held to be [the] greatest.
• Romans 12:10as to brotherly love, kindly affectioned towards one another: as to honour, each taking the lead in paying it to the other:
• Philippians 2:3[let] nothing [be] in the spirit of strife or vain glory, but, in lowliness of mind, each esteeming the other as more excellent than themselves;
• Matthew 3:2and saying, Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has drawn nigh.
• Matthew 5:19Whosoever then shall do away with one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of the heavens; but whosoever shall practise and teach [them], he shall be called great in the kingdom of the heavens.
• Matthew 7:21Not every one who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but he that does the will of my Father who is in the heavens.
• Mark 10:14But Jesus seeing [it], was indignant, and said to them, Suffer the little children to come to me; forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God.

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
• Gain
• Owe
• Patience
• Church
• God
• Great; Greatness
• Justification
• Matthew, the Gospel of
• Papyrus

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