Matthew 18:3
"Truly I tell you," He said, "unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Truly I tell you
This phrase is a solemn introduction used by Jesus to emphasize the importance and truth of what He is about to say. The Greek word "ἀμὴν" (amēn), translated as "truly," is a term of affirmation, often used to assert the certainty and reliability of a statement. In the context of Jesus' teachings, it underscores His authority and the divine truth of His words. Historically, this phrase would capture the attention of His listeners, indicating that a profound truth is about to be revealed.

unless you change
The Greek word for "change" here is "στραφῆτε" (straphēte), which implies a turning or conversion. This is not merely a superficial change but a deep, transformative shift in one's heart and mind. In the historical and scriptural context, this call to change is a call to repentance, a fundamental turning away from sin and towards God. It reflects the necessity of a spiritual rebirth, aligning with the broader biblical theme of transformation and renewal.

and become like little children
The phrase "become like little children" is central to understanding the nature of the kingdom of heaven. The Greek word "παιδία" (paidia) refers to young children, emphasizing qualities such as humility, innocence, and dependence. In the cultural and historical context of the time, children were seen as having no status or power, which contrasts with the disciples' concerns about greatness. Jesus uses this imagery to teach that entrance into the kingdom requires a heart that is humble, trusting, and reliant on God, much like a child's reliance on their parents.

you will never enter the kingdom of heaven
The phrase "you will never enter" is a strong warning, using the Greek "οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε" (ou mē eiselthēte), which is an emphatic negation. It underscores the absolute necessity of the preceding conditions for entry into the kingdom of heaven. The "kingdom of heaven" is a central theme in Matthew's Gospel, representing the reign and rule of God both in the present and future. Historically, this would challenge the prevailing Jewish expectations of a political kingdom, redirecting focus to a spiritual realm where God's will is paramount. This statement serves as a sobering reminder of the heart posture required to be part of God's eternal kingdom.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching His disciples about the nature of the kingdom of heaven and the qualities required to enter it.

2. Disciples
The immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, they are learning about the values and attitudes necessary for followers of Christ.

3. Little Children
Used metaphorically by Jesus to illustrate the qualities of humility, trust, and innocence that are essential for entering the kingdom of heaven.

4. Kingdom of Heaven
A central theme in Jesus' teachings, representing the reign and rule of God, both in the present spiritual sense and in the future eschatological sense.

5. Capernaum
While not directly mentioned in this verse, it is the setting for this teaching, as Jesus and His disciples were in this town during this part of His ministry.
Teaching Points
Humility and Dependence
Jesus calls for a transformation in attitude, emphasizing humility and dependence on God, akin to the trust and simplicity of a child.

Openness to Learning
Like children, believers should maintain a teachable spirit, eager to learn and grow in their faith.

Trust in God
A childlike faith involves trusting God completely, without skepticism or doubt, recognizing His sovereignty and goodness.

Simplicity in Faith
The call to become like children is a call to simplicity in faith, avoiding the complexities and pride that can hinder spiritual growth.

Entering the Kingdom
The passage challenges believers to examine their hearts and attitudes, ensuring they align with the values of the kingdom of heaven.
Bible Study Questions
1. What specific qualities of children do you think Jesus is highlighting in this passage, and how can you cultivate these qualities in your own life?

2. How does the concept of humility, as seen in Matthew 18:3, relate to other teachings of Jesus about greatness in the kingdom of heaven?

3. In what ways can you demonstrate a childlike trust in God in your daily decisions and challenges?

4. How does the call to become like little children challenge the cultural values of self-sufficiency and pride?

5. Reflect on a time when you approached God with childlike faith. How did that experience impact your relationship with Him and your understanding of His kingdom?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 19:14
Jesus emphasizes the importance of childlike qualities by stating that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like children.

Mark 10:15
Similar to Matthew 18:3, this verse underscores the necessity of receiving the kingdom of God with the humility and openness of a child.

1 Peter 2:2
Encourages believers to crave pure spiritual milk like newborn babies, highlighting the need for spiritual growth and dependence on God.

Philippians 2:3-4
Paul exhorts believers to practice humility and consider others more significant than themselves, reflecting the childlike humility Jesus speaks of.
Christ's Type of the Truly GreatR. Tuck Matthew 18:3
The Kingdom of Type ChildlikeW.F. Adeney Matthew 18:1-3
Heavenly GreatnessJ.A. Macdonald Matthew 18:1-5
Necessity of Becoming Like Little ChildrenMarcus Dods Matthew 18:1-14
A Lesson of HumilityThomas Jones.Matthew 18:2-5
Childhood Educates Man on the Best Side of His NatureH. W. Beecher.Matthew 18:2-5
Child-Like Non-ResistanceThomas Jones.Matthew 18:2-5
Christ in a ChildDean Stanley.Matthew 18:2-5
Christian HumilityE. H. Chapin, D. D.Matthew 18:2-5
ConversionC. Hodge, D. D.Matthew 18:2-5
ConversionJ. Vaughan, M. A.Matthew 18:2-5
ConversionW. Jay., Various.Matthew 18:2-5
Conversion; its Nature, Effects, and ImportanceJ. Williams, M. A.Matthew 18:2-5
God's Care of Little ChildrenMatthew 18:2-5
Greatness Determined by Use, not ExtentE. H. Chapin, D. D.Matthew 18:2-5
HumilityJ. Vaughan, M. A.Matthew 18:2-5
Humility Aids Spiritual VisionJohn Trapp.Matthew 18:2-5
Humility the Spring of Intellectual GreatnessE. H. Chapin, D. D.Matthew 18:2-5
Marks of a True ConversionGeorge Whitefield.Matthew 18:2-5
Nature of CountersignOliver Heywood.Matthew 18:2-5
The Desire to be Great NaturalThomas Jones.Matthew 18:2-5
The Mission and Ministry of Infants in the Family and in the WorldJ. E. Edwards, D. D.Matthew 18:2-5
The Nature and Necessity of ConversionR. Treffrey.Matthew 18:2-5
The Nature of HumilityThomas Jones.Matthew 18:2-5
The Necessity of ConversionJoseph Benson.Matthew 18:2-5
The Responsibility of Greatness OverlookedThomas Jones.Matthew 18:2-5
The Spiritual Worth of ChildhoodE. H. Chapin, D. D.Matthew 18:2-5
The Unconscious Humility of a Child Combined with the Experience of a ManE. H. Chapin, D. D.Matthew 18:2-5
This Teaches Us AllM. Pool.Matthew 18:2-5
People
Jesus, Peter
Places
Capernaum
Topics
Admitted, Case, Certainly, Change, Converted, Enter, Except, Heart, Heaven, Heavens, Kingdom, Reign, Solemn, Truly, Truth, Turn, Unless, Verily, Wise
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Matthew 18:3

     2377   kingdom of God, entry into

Matthew 18:1-3

     6134   coveting, prohibition

Matthew 18:1-4

     5489   rank
     5857   fame
     7708   apostles, function

Matthew 18:1-5

     2036   Christ, humility
     5554   status

Matthew 18:2-3

     2081   Christ, wisdom
     6696   necessity

Matthew 18:2-5

     8205   childlikeness

Matthew 18:2-6

     5665   children, attitudes to

Matthew 18:3-4

     5655   birth
     6627   conversion, nature of
     8351   teachableness

Library
May 31. "Whosoever Therefore Shall Humble Himself as this Little Child" (Matt. xviii. 4).
"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child" (Matt. xviii. 4). You will never get a humble heart until it is born from above, from the heart of Christ. For man has lost his own humanity and alas, too often has a demon heart. God wants us, as Christians, to be simple, human, approachable and childlike. The Christians that we know and love best, and that are nearest to the Lord, are the most simple. Whenever we grow stilted we are only fit for a picture gallery, and we are only good
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Lost Sheep and the Seeking Shepherd
If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth Into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray!--MATT. xviii. 12. We find this simple parable, or germ of a parable, in a somewhat more expanded form, as the first of the incomparable three in the fifteenth chapter of Luke's Gospel. Perhaps our Lord repeated the parable more than once. It is an unveiling of His inmost heart, and therein a revelation of the very heart of God.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Persistence of Thwarted Love
'If so be that he find it.'--MATT. xviii. 13. 'Until he find it.'--LUKE xv. 4. Like other teachers, Jesus seems to have had favourite points of view and utterances which came naturally to His lips. There are several instances in the gospels of His repeating the same sayings in entirely different connections and with different applications. One of these habitual points of view seems to have been the thought of men as wandering sheep, and of Himself as the Shepherd. The metaphor has become so familiar
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Forgiven and Unforgiving
'Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times seven.' --MATT. xviii. 22. The disciples had been squabbling about pre-eminence in the kingdom which they thought was presently to appear. They had ventured to refer their selfish and ambitious dispute to Christ's arbitrament. He answered by telling them the qualifications of 'the greatest in the kingdom'--that they are to be humble like little children; that they are to be placable; that they are to use all means
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Law of Precedence in the Kingdom
'At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2. And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them, 3. And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5. And whoso shall receive one such little child in My name receiveth
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Six Sweeping Statements.
Jesus' own words make this very clear. There are two groups of teachings on prayer in those three and a half years as given by the gospel records. The first of these groups is in the Sermon on the Mount which Jesus preached about half-way through the second year of His ministry. The second group comes sheer at the end. All of it is in the last six months, and most of it in the last ten days, and much of that on the very eve of that last tragic day. It is after the sharp rupture with the leaders that
S. D. (Samuel Dickey) Gordon—Quiet Talks on Prayer

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xviii. 15, "If Thy Brother Sin against Thee, Go, Shew Him his Fault Between Thee and Him Alone;" And
1. Our Lord warns us not to neglect one another's sins, not by searching out what to find fault with, but by looking out for what to amend. For He said that his eye is sharp to cast out a mote out of his brother's eye, who has not a beam in his own eye. Now what this means, I will briefly convey to you, Beloved. A mote in the eye is anger; a beam in the eye is hatred. When therefore one who has hatred finds fault with one who is angry, he wishes to take a mote out of his brother's eye, but is hindered
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xviii. 7, Where we are Admonished to Beware of the Offences of the World.
1. The divine lessons, which we have just heard as they were being read, warn us to gather in a stock of virtues, to fortify a Christian heart, against the offences which were predicted to come, and this from the mercy of the Lord. "For what is man," saith Scripture, "saving that Thou art mindful of him?" [2694] "Woe unto the world because of offences," [2695] saith the Lord; the Truth says so; He alarmeth and warneth us, He would not have us to be off our guard; for surely He would not make us desperate.
Saint Augustine—sermons on selected lessons of the new testament

The Forgiveness of Sins.
(Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity.) S. MATTHEW xviii. 28, "Pay me that thou owest." The Gospel shows us in a parable a picture of a king who called his servants to a reckoning. That King is the Lord God Almighty. We are His servants, and He calls us to account every day. All we possess we owe as a debt to God. Day by day He gives us our food, and supplies our wants by His good Providence. On every hour of our existence is written, Jehovah-Jireh--The Lord will provide. Day by day God takes
H. J. Wilmot-Buxton—The Life of Duty, a Year's Plain Sermons, v. 2

Fourth Day. Forgiveness of Injuries.
"Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."--Luke, xxiii. 34. Many a death-struggle has been made to save a friend. A dying Saviour gathers up His expiring breath to plead for His foes! At the climax of His own woe, and of human ingratitude--man-forsaken, and God-deserted--His faltering voice mingles with the shout of His murderers,--"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do!" Had the faithless Peter been there, could he have wondered at the reply to a former
John R. Macduff—The Mind of Jesus

Lix. The Preacher and his Hearers.
22nd Sunday after Trinity. S. Matthew xviii. 23. "The kingdom of Heaven is likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants." INTRODUCTION.--I have been a good deal abroad, over the Continent of Europe, and whenever I am in a little country inn, I make a point of going into the room where the men are smoking and drinking wine or beer, and hearing their opinions on the politics of the day, and of their country. Now, my experience tells me that in country taverns in France, and
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

The Wicked Servant
ST. MATTHEW xviii. 23. The kingdom of heaven is likened to a certain king, which would take account of his servants. This parable, which you heard in the Gospel for this day, you all know. And I doubt not that all you who know it, understand it well enough. It is so human and so humane; it is told with such simplicity, and yet with such force and brilliancy that--if one dare praise our Lord's words as we praise the words of men--all must see its meaning at once, though it speaks of a state of
Charles Kingsley—The Water of Life and Other Sermons

Meetings for Prayer.
Text.--"Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."--Matthew xviii. 19. HITHERTO, in treating of the subject of Prayer, I have confined my remarks to secret prayer. I am now to speak of social prayer, or prayer offered in company, where two or more are united in praying. Such meetings have been common from the time of Christ, and even hundreds of years before. And it is probable
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

The Necessity and Effect of Union.
Text.--Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth, as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.--Matthew xviii. 19. SOME weeks since, I used this text, in preaching on the subject of prayer meetings. At present I design to enter more into the spirit and meaning of the text. The evident design of our Lord in this text was to teach the importance and influence of union in prayer and effort to promote religion. He states the
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

The Mission of Little Children
"And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them." Matthew xviii.2. Everything has its mission. I speak not now of the office which each part of the great universe discharges. I speak not of the relation between these parts,--that beautiful ordinance by which the whole is linked together in one common life, by which the greatest is dependent upon the least, and the least shares in the benefactions of the greatest. In this sense, everything has, strictly, its mission.
E. H. Chapin—The Crown of Thorns

False Ambition Versus Childlikeness.
(Capernaum, Autumn, a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XVIII. 1-14; ^B Mark IX. 33-50; ^C Luke IX. 46-50. ^c 46 And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest. ^b 33 And he came to Capernaum: ^c 47 But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their heart, ^b and when he was in the house [probably Simon Peter's house] he asked them, What were ye reasoning on the way? 34 But they held their peace: for they had disputed one with another on the way, who was the greatest. [The Lord with his disciples was
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Sin and Forgiveness Between Brethren.
(Autumn, a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XVIII. 15-35. ^a 15 And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. [Having warned against giving offense, Jesus now shows how to act when offense is received. The fault is to be pointed out to the offender, but for the purpose of gaining him--not from a desire to humiliate him. The offended is to seek the offender, and the offender is likewise to seek the offended (Matt. xv. 23, 24),
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Unmerciful Servant.
"Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved
William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord

Jesus Christ, the Divine Teacher of Prayer
A friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him! He knocks again. "Friend! lend me three loaves?" He waits a while and then knocks again. "Friend! I must have three loaves!" "Trouble me not: the door is now shut; I cannot rise and give thee!" He stands still. He turns to go home. He comes back. He knocks again. "Friend!" he cries. He puts his ear to the door. There is a sound inside, and then the light of a candle shines through the hole of the door. The bars of
Edward M. Bounds—The Reality of Prayer

Fifteenth Lesson. If Two Agree
If two agree;' Or, The Power of United Prayer Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them.--Matt. xviii. 19, 20. ONE of the first lessons of our Lord in His school of prayer was: Not to be seen of men. Enter thy inner chamber; be alone with the Father. When He has thus taught us that the
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

The Third Wall.
The third wall falls of itself, as soon as the first two have fallen; for if the Pope acts contrary to the Scriptures, we are bound to stand by the Scriptures, to punish and to constrain him, according to Christ's commandment; "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Found
Gerhard Ter Steegen Matt. xviii. 12 O God, through Christ the living way, My Father and my God, So near, and I so far astray, Brought nigh Thee by His Blood. Myself, and this, and that, I sought Behind, around, before-- And yet the nearest found I not, Until I sought no more. O Love, Thou deep eternal tide, How dear are men to Thee! The Father's heart is opened wide By Jesus' Blood to me. It was Thyself, O God, who sought, With tender yearnings deep, The loveless sould who sought Thee not, The
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

The School
Gerhard Ter Steegen Matt. xviii. 3 Where is the school for each and all, Where men become as children small, And little ones are great? Where love is all the task and rule, The fee our all, and all at school, Small, poor, of low estate? Where to unlearn all things I learn, From self and from all others turn, One Master hear and see? I learn and do one thing alone, And wholly give myself to One Who gives Himself to me. My task, possessing nought, to give; No life to have, yet ever live-- And ever
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

Commentary on Matthew. Introduction.
According to Eusebius (H. E. vi. 36) the Commentaries on the Gospel of Matthew were written about the same time as the Contra Celsum, when Origen was over sixty years of age, and may therefore be probably assigned to the period 246-248. This statement is confirmed by internal evidence. In the portion here translated, books x.-xiv., he passes by the verses Matt. xviii. 12, 13, and refers for the exposition of them to his Homilies on Luke (book xiii. 29). Elsewhere, he refers his readers for a fuller
Origen—Origen's Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew

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