Matthew 18:3

New International Reader's Version

Jesus said, “What I’m about to tell you is true. You need to change and become like little children. If you don’t, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Cross References

Psalm 131:2

I have made myself calm and content like a young child in its mother’s arms. Deep down inside me, I am as content as a young child.

Isaiah 6:10

Make the hearts of these people stubborn. Plug up their ears. Close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes. They might hear with their ears. They might understand with their hearts. And they might turn to me and be healed.”

Matthew 13:15

The hearts of these people have become stubborn. They can barely hear with their ears. They have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes. They might hear with their ears. They might understand with their hearts. They might turn to the Lord, and then he would heal them.’ (Isaiah 6:9,10)

Matthew 18:2

Jesus called a little child over to him. He had the child stand among them.

Matthew 18:4

Anyone who takes the humble position of this child is the most important in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 19:14

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t keep them away. The kingdom of heaven belongs to people like them.”

Matthew 19:23

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “What I’m about to tell you is true. It is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:18

What I’m about to tell you is true. Heaven and earth will disappear before the smallest letter disappears from the Law. Not even the smallest mark of a pen will disappear from the Law until everything is completed.

Matthew 5:20

Here is what I tell you. You must be more godly than the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. If you are not, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 6:16

“When you go without eating, do not look gloomy like those who only pretend to be holy. They make their faces look very sad. They want to show people they are fasting. What I’m about to tell you is true. They have received their complete reward.

Matthew 6:2

“When you give to needy people, do not announce it by having trumpets blown. Do not be like those who only pretend to be holy. They announce what they do in the synagogues and on the streets. They want to be honored by other people. What I’m about to tell you is true. They have received their complete reward.

Matthew 6:5

“When you pray, do not be like those who only pretend to be holy. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners. They want to be seen by other people. What I’m about to tell you is true. They have received their complete reward.

Mark 4:12

In that way, “ ‘They will see but never know what they are seeing. They will hear but never understand. Otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’ ” (Isaiah 6:9,10)

Luke 13:24

“Try very hard to enter through the narrow door. I tell you, many will try to enter and will not be able to.

Luke 22:32

But I have prayed for you, Simon. I have prayed that your faith will not fail. When you have turned back, help your brothers to be strong.”

John 1:51

Then he said to the disciples, “What I’m about to tell you is true. You will see heaven open. You will see the angels of God going up and coming down on the Son of Man.”

John 3:3

Jesus replied, “What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can see God’s kingdom unless they are born again.”

John 3:5

Jesus answered, “What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can enter God’s kingdom unless they are born with water and the Holy Spirit.

Acts 14:22

There they helped the believers gain strength. They told them to remain faithful to what they had been taught. “We must go through many hard times to enter God’s kingdom,” they said.

Acts 28:27

These people’s hearts have become stubborn. They can barely hear with their ears. They have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes. They might hear with their ears. They might understand with their hearts. They might turn, and then I would heal them.’ (Isaiah 6:9,10)

Acts 3:19

So turn away from your sins. Turn to God. Then your sins will be wiped away. The time will come when the Lord will make everything new.

1 Corinthians 14:20

Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. Be like babies as far as evil is concerned. But be grown up in your thinking.

1 Peter 2:2

Like newborn babies, you should long for the pure milk of God’s word. It will help you grow up as believers.

2 Peter 1:11

You will receive a rich welcome into the kingdom that lasts forever. It is the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.