Matthew 18 · Verse 4

Matthew 18:4

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:4, King James Version

Matthew 18:4 in other translations

BSB	Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
WEB	Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
ASV	Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
YLT	whoever then may humble himself as this child, he is the greater in the reign of the heavens.
DARBY	Whoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of the heavens;
BBE	Whoever, then, will make himself as low as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Webster	Whoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

What does Matthew 18:4 mean?

Barnes' Notes

Verse 4. The same is greatest, etc. That is, shall be the most eminent Christian; shall have most of the true spirit of religion.

(x) "humble himself" Lk 14:11, Jas 4:10

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself - So great is the disparity between the kingdom of Christ and the kingdoms of this world, that there is no way of rising to honors in the former, but by humility of mind, and continual self-abasement. The same is greatest - Thus our Lord shows them that they were all equal, and that there could be no superiority among them, but what must come from the deepest humility; he intimates also, that wherever this principle should be found, it would save its possessor from seeking worldly honors or earthly profits, and from seeking to be a ruler over his brethren, or a lord in God's heritage.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 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…

Read the full comment on Matthew 18:1-6 →

Matthew 18:4 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.

ὅστιςhostisWhoeverG3748

οὖνounthereforeG3767

ταπεινώσειtapeinōseiwill humbleG5013

ἑαυτὸνhe'autonhimselfG1438

ὡςhōsasG5613

τὸto<the>G3588

παιδίονpaidionlittle childG3813

τοῦτο,toutothis,G3778

οὗτόςhoutosheG3778

ἐστινestinisG1510

ὁhotheG3588

μείζωνmeizōngreaterG3173

ἐνeninG1722

τῇtēatheG3588

βασιλείᾳbasileiakingdomG932

τῶνtōnof theG3588

οὐρανῶν.ouranōnheavens.G3772

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 18:4

James 4:10
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Mark 10:43
But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
Luke 14:11
For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Luke 9:48
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 23:11-12
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Matthew 20:26-27
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
1 Peter 5:5
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Matthew 18:1
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
Isaiah 57:15
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Psalms 131:1-2
A Song of degrees of David. Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

humble.
23:11,12; Ps 131:1,2; Isa 57:15; Lu 14:11; 1Pe 5:5; Jas 4:10
greatest.
1; 20:26,27; Mr 10:43; Lu 9:48

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Matthew 18:3
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:4
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:5
And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Read all of Matthew 18

Matthew 18:4 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Así que, cualquiera que se humillare como este niño, éste es el mayor en el reino de los cielos.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Quiconque donc s’abaissera comme ce petit enfant, celui-là est le plus grand dans le royaume des cieux;
German Elberfelder 1871	Darum, wer irgend sich selbst erniedrigen wird wie dieses Kindlein, dieser ist der Größte im Reiche der Himmel;
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Quicumque ergo humiliaverit se sicut parvulus iste, hic est major in regno cælorum.