matthew-18:1-6,-psalm-56:9-13-niv

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:4

Whosoever therefore. This verse gives a direct application of the principle just enunciated, and supplies an answer to the apostles' question. Shall humble himself. Not that a child consciously humbles itself, but is humble by nature. The disciple must become that by deliberate choice which the child is by reason of his constitution and natural disposition. The same is greatest; rather, greater ( μει ì ζων ) , Christ using the same term as the questioners in Matthew 18:1 .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:4

True dignity gained by humbling the stiff "As this little child." "We shall miss Christ's meaning if we set about thinking of children in general—of their trustfulness, teachableness, humility, unassuming disposition, 'sweet simplicity,' and kindred things. The truth is, there is human nature (and a good deal of it too) in children as well as in men and women. Winsome as childhood is, and often rarely beautiful, with many a wile and witchery, even the fondest mother cannot help seeing in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:5

Shall receive ( ὁ Ì ς ἐα Ì ν δε ì ξηται ). The word is pregnant with meaning. It includes not only the showing of tender affection and the giving of material succour, such as hospitality, shelter, etc., but also the bestowal of help and support in spiritual things, encouragement in holiness, instruction in Divine lore. One such little child . Primarily, Jesus refers to children, pure and confiding as the one he had placed in the midst; but his words are applicable to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:5-14

The treatment due to such . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:6

There is an opposite side to this picture. Shall offend; cause to stumble— give occasion for a fall, i . e . either in faith or morals. This is done by evil example, by teaching to sin, by sneers at piety, by giving soft names to gross offences. One of these little ones. Whether child or adult, a pure, simple soul, which has a certain faith it be not strong enough to resist all attack. Even the heathen recognized the respect due to the young: "Maxima debetur puero reverentia"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:6-9

Occasions of stumbling. To stumble is so to trip as to be hindered in faith or to be turned out of the way (cf. Matthew 5:29 , Matthew 5:30 ; Matthew 11:6 ; Matthew 13:21 ; Matthew 15:12 ; Matthew 24:10 ; Matthew 26:31 , Matthew 26:33 ; John 6:61 , John 6:62 , John 6:66 ; John 16:1 ). Occasions of stumbling are evil influences—allurements, persuasions, temptations, bad example, calumnies, insults, persecutions. The text teaches— I. THAT CHRIST HOLDS THE ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 18:1-6

See also Mark 9:33-41; Luke 9:46-50.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 splendor, and they wished to know who should have the principal offices, and posts of honor and profit. This was among them a frequent... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 18:1

Matthew 18:1. At the same time When Jesus had just foretold his own sufferings, death, and resurrection; came the disciples, saying, Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Which of us shall be thy prime minister in the kingdom which thou art about to set up? which they still thought would be a temporal kingdom. That this was their meaning, appears evident from the parallel passages, Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48, (where see the notes.) So that just after the Lord Jesus had predicted that... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 18:2

Matthew 18:2. And Jesus Perceiving the thought of their heart, says Luke, or the dispositions by which they were animated, and their ambitious views and expectations; in order to check and eradicate all such sinful inclinations and affections, he called a little child, and set him in the midst of them That they might consider him attentively, and learn by the sweetness, docility, and modesty visible in his countenance, what the temper and dispositions of his disciples ought to be, and how... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 18:3-4

Matthew 18:3-4. And said, Verily I say unto you What I say is an undoubted and most important truth, a truth which you ought not only firmly to believe but seriously to lay to heart: except ye be converted Turned from these worldly and carnal views and desires; and become like little children “Free from pride, covetousness, and ambition, and resemble them in humility, sincerity, docility, and disengagement of affection from the things of the present life, which excite the ambition of... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:5-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:6-9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 18:1-6

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 18:1

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 18:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 18:3-4

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