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 the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into 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

• 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 9:33And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
• Matthew 20:20Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
• Matthew 23:11But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
• Mark 9:34But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
• Mark 10:35And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.
• Luke 9:46Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.
• Luke 22:24And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
• Romans 12:10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
• Philippians 2:3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
• Matthew 3:2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
• Matthew 5:19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
• Matthew 7:21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
• Mark 10:14But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and 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
• 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