Who Is the Greatest?

18 At that time[a](A) the disciples(B) came to Jesus and asked, “So who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (C) He called a small child and had him stand among them. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become like little children,(D) you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.(E) Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes[b] one child like this in my name welcomes me.

“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away—it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the sea.(F)

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Footnotes

  1. 18:1 Lit hour
  2. 18:5 Or receives

True Greatness

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.(A) Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.(B)

Temptations to Sin

“If any of you cause one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,[a] it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. 18.6 Or stumble