18:1 The Greatest in the Kingdom
SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 18:
Who Shall Be Greatest?. Becoming As Little Children. Causing the Little Ones to Stumble. Despising the Little Ones. How to Deal with an Offending Brother. Forgiving Those Who Injure Us. Parable of the Unmerciful Servant.
At the same time. As Peter returned from paying the tribute money.
Came the disciples unto Jesus. Compare Mr 9:33-50 Lu 9:46-50 and also Mt 19:13-15. Mark says the conversation occurred at Capernaum (Mr 9:33).
Who is the greatest in the kingdom? The disciples had disputed in the way was to which of them should be chief ministers in the earthly kingdom that they still supposed Christ would establish (Mr 9:33,34). Mark also says that before calling the child, Jesus said: He that would be greatest among you, let him become the servant of all (Mr 9:35), the rule of true greatness.
18:1 Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? - Which of us shall be thy prime minister? They still dreamed of a temporal kingdom.
18:1-6 Christ spoke many words of his sufferings, but only one of his glory; yet the disciples fasten upon that, and overlook the others. Many love to hear and speak of privileges and glory, who are willing to pass by the thoughts of work and trouble. Our Lord set a little child before them, solemnly assuring them, that unless they were converted and made like little children, they could not enter his kingdom. Children, when very young, do not desire authority, do not regard outward distinctions, are free from malice, are teachable, and willingly dependent on their parents. It is true that they soon begin to show other dispositions, and other ideas are taught them at an early age; but these are marks of childhood, and render them proper emblems of the lowly minds of true Christians. Surely we need to be daily renewed in the spirit of our minds, that we may become simple and humble, as little children, and willing to be the least of all. Let us daily study this subject, and examine our own spirits.
