Matthew 18:1
ESV
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
NIV
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
NASB
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, 'Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?'
CSB
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "So who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
NLT
About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?'
KJV
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
NKJV
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
What does Matthew 18:1 mean?
Matthew skips the set-up to the question the disciples ask Jesus in this verse. Mark and Luke reveal that the disciples were disputing with each other about who among them was the greatest (Mark 9:33–34; Luke 9:46). It shouldn't surprise us that the disciples would end up jockeying for position and pecking order among themselves. Not only is that human nature, but rank and honor were significant in the culture of the day.Perhaps it was apparent to all of them that Peter, James, and John were the preferred disciples. After all, they were selected to go with Jesus to the mountain to witness the transfiguration. Peter often appears to be their de-facto leader, but he is also the one who is most often called out by Jesus for blunders. In Matthew 20, the mother of James and John will attempt to manipulate Jesus into promising that her two boys will be the greatest in His kingdom, showing that neither she nor the disciples yet understand that Jesus has not come to establish a political kingdom on earth at this time.
Instead of revealing their selfish ambition, Matthew begins the story with a simple question from the disciples: Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? To modern ears, the idea that some are greater than others in heaven's kingdom might seem unimportant. Jesus, though, will give a very specific and surprising answer.
Matthew 18:1–6 describes Jesus' surprising answer to a question from the disciples about who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. He calls a child to Him and puts that child in the middle of the group. He says they must become "like children" in order to enter the kingdom—a reference to humility and sincere obedience. The greatest is one who humbles himself in this way. Those who receive children like that in Jesus' name receive Him. Using the metaphor of drowning, Jesus warns anyone who would cause one of His followers to sin.
Jesus uses two questions from the disciples to teach important lessons. The "greatest" in the kingdom is the one who humbles himself like a child. Temptation is unavoidable in earthly life, but it's worth going to extremes to avoid falling for it. Even so, those who fall should not be hated and despised. God the Father values them highly and wants none of them to perish. In fact, Jesus lays out a clear, careful process to confront sin in others before removing them from the community. Christ also replies to Peter's question about forgiveness with a parable. This story represents both God's amazing forgiveness, and the way we ought to respond as Christians.
