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 said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2And He called a child to Himself and set him among them, 3and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not 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

• timeὥραhōra · hourG5610
• the disciplesμαθητήςmathētēs · discipleG3101
• cameπροσέρχομαιproserchomai · to come near/agreeG4334
• to JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424
• and saidλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• Whoτίςtis · which?G5101
• thenἄραara · thereforeG686
• is greatestμέγαςmegas · greatG3173
• the kingdomβασιλείαbasileia · kingdomG932
• of heavenοὐρανόςouranos · heavenG3772

Cross-references for Matthew 18:1

• Mark 9:33They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them: “What were you discussing on the way?”
• Matthew 20:20Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him.
• Matthew 23:11But the greatest of you shall be your servant.
• Mark 9:34But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest.
• Mark 10:35James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying to Him, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.”
• Luke 9:46Now an argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest.
• Luke 22:24And a dispute also developed among them as to which one of them was regarded as being the greatest.
• Romans 12:10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor,
• Philippians 2:3Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves;
• Matthew 3:2“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
• Matthew 5:19Therefore, whoever nullifies one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall 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 the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
• Mark 10:14But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and 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
• 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