At that very time His disciples came to Jesus, asking, “Who then is the most important person in the kingdom of heaven?”
Matthew 18:4 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) Therefore, the person who will humble himself, as this little child, is the most important person in the kingdom of heaven. More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition Whoever will humble himself therefore and become like this little child [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving] is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. American Standard Version (1901) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Common English Bible Those who humble themselves like this little child will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Catholic Public Domain Version Therefore, whoever will have humbled himself like this little child, such a one is greater in the kingdom of heaven. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greater in the kingdom of heaven. |
At that very time His disciples came to Jesus, asking, “Who then is the most important person in the kingdom of heaven?”
and said, “Truly I tell you, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven unless you turn [your life around] and become like little children [i.e., having child-like humility].
And the person who welcomes one little child like this, in my name [i.e., because he belongs to me], welcomes me [also].
But it is not [to be] this way among you, for whoever would like to become important among you will be your servant.
But they kept quiet for they had been arguing with one another over which one of them was the greatest.
For every person who exalts himself [as important] will be humbled, but the person who humbles himself will be exalted [as important].”
and said to the disciples, “The person who welcomes this little child in my name [i.e., because he belongs to me], welcomes me [also]. And the person who welcomes me [i.e., into his life (?)] welcomes God, who sent me. For that person who is the least [significant] among you men is the one who is the greatest [in importance].”
Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord and He will exalt you people.
And in the same way, you younger [Christians] should be [respectfully] submissive to the older ones. And all of you should [be willing to] humbly serve one another, for God stands opposed to [the efforts of] proud people, but extends His unearned favor to those [who serve] with humility.