Knowing The Word in Matthew 18:1-6

[Matthew 18 begins the fourth major section of Jesus’ teachings. This section is concerned about the relationships between followers of Jesus, who are a distinct community, and how they treat one another.]

Who Is the Greatest?

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” [Human societies treat the issue of rank very seriously, so how is it to be treated in God’s society?] 2 And calling to him a child [a person of no importance in Jewish society], he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children [a radical reorientation from “who’s on top” to that of being someone of insignificance], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. [It is not that we become childlike, it is that we have the status of a child. True importance in the kingdom is in being little, insignificant, and unimpressive. To become humble is to accept an inferior position as Jesus did.]

5 “Whoever receives one such child [an insignificant believer who follows Jesus] in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. [Any disciple who causes a fellow disciple to stumble by his attitude, action, or failure to act, brings judgment upon himself. It would be better to suffer a quick drowning than the judgment that is coming.]