E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 18:2
little child. Greek. paidion. App-108 . him = it. read more
Matthew-18:2-3-esv
E.W. Bullinger
E.W. Bullinger
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 18:3
Verily. See note on Matthew 5:18 . Except = Unless. Literally "If ye be not". Assuming the possibility. be converted = be turned: i.e. to God, in repentance. not = by no means. Greek. ou me. read more
James Burton Coffman
Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 18:2
And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them.That little child was possibly Peters', since the Lord was a guest in Peter's house. Dummelow noted the tradition that "It was Ignatius the Martyr, afterwards the Bishop of Antioch."[2] All innocent young children manifest the same wonderful qualities, and the identity of the child is irrelevant. read more
James Burton Coffman
Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 18:3
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.Benjamin Franklin, the great Restoration preacher, found in this text one of a triad on the subject of conversion. The expression "turn" or "turn again" is translated "be converted" in the KJV. The other two texts are Acts 3:19 and Acts 28:27. The three texts represent instruction directed to three different classes of persons, depending upon their spiritual... read more
Thomas Coke
Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 18:2
Matthew 18:2. Jesus called a little child— See Luke 9:47. Mark 9:33., &c. To check the foolish emulation of his disciples, Jesus called a little child to him, and having set him in the midst, that they might consider him attentively, he shewed them, by the sweetness, docility, and modesty visible in its countenance, what the temper and dispositions of his disciples ought to be, and how dear to him persons of such dispositions are, though otherwise weak and infirm. Some are of opinion, that... read more
Thomas Coke
Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 18:3-4
Matthew 18:3-4. And said, Verily, &c.— "So far shall ye be from becoming the greatest in my kingdom, that ye shall not so muchas enter into it,unless ye be like little children, free from pride, covetousness, and ambition, and resemble them in humility, sincerity, docility, and in disengagement ofaffection from the things of the present life, which fire the ambition of grown men." Whosoever therefore (Matthew 18:4.) rests satisfied with the providence which God has assigned him, whatever it... read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 18:1-2
The writer introduced and concluded this discourse, as he did the others, with statements suggesting that Jesus delivered this address on one specific occasion (cf. Matthew 5:1; Matthew 7:28-29). The last two discourses in Matthew were responses to questions from the disciples (Matthew 18:1; cf. Matthew 24:1-3)."At that time" probably means "in that stage of Jesus’ ministry" (cf. Matthew 10:19; Matthew 26:45). The preceding revelations about the King and the kingdom led the disciples, probably... read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 18:1-4
The introduction of the theme of humility 18:1-4 (cf. Mark 9:33-36; Luke 9:46-47) read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 18:3-4
Jesus announced His revolutionary words with a solemn introductory formula (cf. Matthew 5:18). He said it was necessary that His disciples change and became as little children. The word "converted" in the NASB is misleading. Jesus was not speaking about "getting saved." Childlikeness was necessary for entrance into the messianic kingdom. Children have many characteristics that distinguish them from adults, but because of the disciples’ concern with position in the kingdom and the teaching that... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:1-14
78. Lessons in humility (Matthew 17:22-23; Matthew 18:1-14; Mark 9:30-50; Luke 9:44-50)Despite Jesus’ statement to his disciples that he was heading towards humiliating suffering and death (Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:44-45), they were arguing among themselves about who would have the important places in his kingdom. Jesus rebuked them, explaining that the way to spiritual greatness is through choosing the lowest place and serving others. To enter the kingdom of God, people must... read more