Luke 9:46-48
New Living Translation
The Greatest in the Kingdom
46 Then his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side. 48 Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf[a] welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.”
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- 9:48 Greek in my name.
Luke 9:46-48
New English Translation
Concerning the Greatest
46 Now an argument started among the disciples[a] as to which of them might be[b] the greatest. 47 But when Jesus discerned their innermost thoughts,[c] he took a child, had him stand by[d] his side, 48 and said to them, “Whoever welcomes[e] this child[f] in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me, for the one who is least among you all is the one who is great.”[g]
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- Luke 9:46 tn Grk “among them”; the referent (the disciples) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Luke 9:46 tn The use of the optative mood means the answer is not clear (BDF §§267.2.2; 385.2.2).
- Luke 9:47 tn Grk “knowing the thoughts of their hearts” (an idiom).
- Luke 9:47 tn On this use of παρά (para), see BDF §238.
- Luke 9:48 tn This verb, δέχομαι (dechomai), is a term of hospitality (L&N 34.53).
- Luke 9:48 sn Children were very insignificant in ancient culture, so this child would be the perfect object lesson to counter the disciples’ selfish ambitions.
- Luke 9:48 tn Grk “among you all, this one is great.” The absence of a comparative term here makes the point that comparison should not be done.
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