Matthew 18:1-6

Who Is the Greatest?

1 t At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you u turn and v become like children, you w will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 x Whoever humbles himself like this child is the w greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 y "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but z whoever causes one of these a little ones who believe in me to sin, 1 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.

  1. Cross References
    Matthew 17:24
    When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the tax?
    Matthew 18:1 - 5
    At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
    Mark 9:33 - 37
    And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you discussing on the way?
    Luke 9:46 - 48
    An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.
    Matthew 20:20 - 28
    Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something.
  2. Cross References
    Matthew 18:1 - 5
    At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
    Mark 9:33 - 37
    And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you discussing on the way?
    Luke 9:46 - 48
    An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.
  3. Cross References
    Luke 22:32
    But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.
  4. Cross References
    Matthew 19:14
    But Jesus said, "Let the little children come t...
    Mark 10:15
    Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive t...
    Luke 18:17
    Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive t...
    Psalms 131:2
    But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a w...
    1 Corinthians 14:20
    Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. ...
    1 Peter 2:2
    Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritu...
  5. Cross References
    Matthew 5:19 - 20
    Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
  6. Cross References
    Matthew 20:27
    And whoever would be first among you must be your slave.
    Matthew 23:11 - 12
    The greatest among you shall be your servant.
  7. Cross References
    Matthew 18:3
    And said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
  8. Cross References
    Matthew 10:40
    Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.
    Matthew 10:42
    And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
  9. Cross References
    Mark 9:42
    Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.
  10. Cross References
    Luke 17:2
    It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.
    1 Corinthians 8:12
    Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.