Matthew 18:1
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
Matthew 18:1 in other translations
| BSB | At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” |
|---|---|
| WEB | In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” |
| ASV | In that hour came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? |
| YLT | At that hour came the disciples near to Jesus, saying, ‘Who, now, is greater in the reign of the heavens?' |
| DARBY | In that hour the disciples came to Jesus saying, Who then is greatest in the kingdom of the heavens? |
| BBE | In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? |
| Webster | At the same time came the disciples to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? |
What does Matthew 18:1 mean?
Barnes' Notes
Verses 1-6. See also Mk 9:33-41, Lk 9:46-60. Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? By the kingdom of heaven they meant the kingdom which they supposed he was about to set up-- his kingdom as the Messiah. They asked the question because they supposed, in accordance with the common expectation of the Jews, that he was about to set up a temporal kingdom of great splendour; and they wished to know who should have the principal offices and posts of honour and profit. This was among them a frequent subject of inquiry and controversy. Mk 9:34 informs us that they had had a dispute on this subject in the way. Jesus, he says, inquired of them what they had been disputing about. Lk 9:47 says, that Jesus perceived the thought of their heart;--an act implying omniscience, for none can search the heart but God, Jer 17:10. The disciples, conscious that the subject of their dispute was known, requested Jesus to decide it, Mt 18:1. They were at first silent through shame, Mk 9:34 but perceiving that the subject of their dispute was known, they came, as Matthew states, and referred the matter to him for his opinion.
(u) "At the same" Mk 9:33, Lk 9:46, 22:24
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Introduction
The disciples inquiring who should be greatest in Christ's kingdom, Mat 18:1. He takes occasion to recommend humility, simplicity, and disinterestedness, Mat 18:2-6. Warns them against offenses, Mat 18:7. Recommends mortification and self-denial. Mat 18:8, Mat 18:9. Charges them to avoid giving offense. Mat 18:10, Mat 18:11. Parable of him who had lost one sheep out of his flock consisting of one hundred, Mat 18:12-14. How to deal with an offending brother, Mat 18:15-18. A gracious promise to social prayer, Mat 18:19, Mat 18:20. How often an offending brother who expresses sorrow, and promises amendment, is to be forgiven, Mat 18:21, Mat 18:22. The parable of the king, who calls his servants to account, and finds one who owed him ten thousand talents, who, being unable to pay, and imploring mercy, is forgiven, Mat 18:23-27. Of the same person, who treated his fellow-servant unmercifully, who owed him but a small sum, Mat 18:28-30. Of the punishment inflicted on this unmerciful servant, Mat 18:31-35. Verse 1 At the same time - Or hour; but ωρα is frequently used to signify some particular time: however, instead of ωρα, three MSS., all the Itala but four, and Origen, read ημερα, day. Origen says both readings were extant in MSS. in his time. Who is the greatest - Could these disciples have viewed the kingdom of Christ in any other light than that of a temporal one? Hence they wished to know whom he would make his prime minister - whom his general - whom his chief chancellor - whom supreme judge, etc., etc. Is it he who first became thy disciple, or he who is thy nearest relative, or he who has most frequently entertained thee, or he who is the oldest, merely as to years? Could this inquiry have proceeded from any but the nine disciples who had not witnessed our Lord's transfiguration? Peter, James, and John, were surely more spiritual in their views! And yet how soon did even these forget that his kingdom was not of this world! See Mar 10:35, etc.; Joh 18:10, etc. The disciples having lately seen the keys delivered to Peter, and found that he, with James and John, had been privileged with being present at the transfiguration, it is no wonder if a measure of jealousy and suspicion began to work in their minds. From this inquiry we may also learn, that the disciples had no notion of Peter's supremacy; nor did they understand, as the Roman Catholics will have it, that Christ had constituted him their head, either by the conversation mentioned Mat 16:18, Mat 16:19, or by the act mentioned in the conclusion of the preceding chapter. Had they thought that any such superiority had been designed, their present question must have been extremely impertinent. Let this be observed.Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 18:1-6
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
Matthew 18:1 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Matthew 18:1
- Mark 9:33-37
And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, …
- Luke 9:46-48
Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
- Matthew 20:20-28
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. …
- Luke 22:24-27
And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
- Philippians 2:3
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
- Mark 10:35-45
And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? …
- Matthew 23:11
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
- Mark 10:14-15
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
- Romans 12:10
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
- Matthew 7:21
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
7 to avoid offences,
10 and not to despise the little ones;
15 teaches how we are to deal with our brethren when they offend us,
21 and how oft to forgive them;
23 which he sets forth by a parable of the king that took account of his servants,
32 and punished him who shewed no mercy to his fellow.
the same.
Mr 9:33-37
Who.
20:20-28; 23:11; Mr 9:34; 10:35-45; Lu 9:46-48; 22:24-27; Ro 12:10
Php 2:3
in.
3:2; 5:19,20; 7:21; Mr 10:14,15
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Matthew 18:1
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
- Matthew 18:2
And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
Matthew 18:1 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | EN aquel tiempo se llegaron los discípulos á Jesús, diciendo: ¿Quién es el mayor en el reino de los cielos? |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | En cette heure-là les disciples vinrent à Jésus, disant: Qui donc est le plus grand dans le royaume des cieux? |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | In jener Stunde traten die Jünger zu Jesu und sprachen: Wer ist denn der Größte im Reiche der Himmel? |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | In illa hora accesserunt discipuli ad Jesum, dicentes: Quis, putas, major est in regno cælorum? |