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 had him stand among them. 3Then he said to them, “I can guarantee this truth: Unless you change and become like little children, 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 9:33Then they came to Capernaum. While Jesus was at home, he asked the disciples, “What were you arguing about on the road?”
• Matthew 20:20Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her two sons. She bowed down in front of him to ask him for a favor.
• Matthew 23:11The person who is greatest among you will be your servant.
• Mark 9:34They were silent. On the road they had argued about who was the greatest.
• Mark 10:35James and John, sons of Zebedee, went to Jesus. They said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do us a favor.”
• Luke 9:46A discussion started among them about who would be the greatest.
• Luke 22:24Then a quarrel broke out among the disciples. They argued about who should be considered the greatest.
• Romans 12:10Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each other.
• Philippians 2:3Don’t act out of selfish ambition or be conceited. Instead, humbly think of others as being better than yourselves.
• Matthew 3:2“Turn to God and change the way you think and act, because the kingdom of heaven is near.”
• Matthew 5:19So whoever sets aside any command that seems unimportant and teaches others to do the same will be unimportant in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches what the commands say 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 the person who does what my Father in heaven wants.
• Mark 10:14When Jesus saw this, he became irritated. He told them, “Don’t stop the children from coming to me. Children like these are part of God’s kingdom.

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