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Wesley's New Testament
Matthew 18:3
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“Truly I tell you,”
And said, Uerily I say vnto you, Except yee be conuerted, and become as little children, yee shall not enter into the kingdome of heauen.
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.
and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you change and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Then he said, "I tell you the truth, you must change and become like little children. Otherwise, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
and said, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
And sayd, Verely I say vnto you, except ye be conuerted, and become as litle children, ye shall not enter into the kingdome of heauen.
and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
"Truly I tell you," He said, "unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Then he said: I promise you this. If you don't change and become like a child, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
and said, "Yes! I tell you that unless you change and become like little children, you won't even enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
and said, Verily I say to you, Unless ye are converted and become as little children, ye will not at all enter into the kingdom of the heavens.
Then he said, "The truth is, you must change your thinking and become like little children. If you don't do this, you will never enter God's kingdom.
And he said, Truly I say to you, Unless you change and become like little boys, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
and said, "I assure you that unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven.
and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you turn around and become like young children, you will never enter into the kingdom of heaven!
And He said, Truly I say to you, Unless you convert and become as the little children, not at all can you enter into the kingdom of Heaven.
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.
And said, Truly, I say to you, If you do not have a change of heart and become like little children, you will not go into the kingdom of heaven.
and said, "Most assuredly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Then he said, "Truly I tell you, unless you changeturn">[fn] and become like little children, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.Psalm 131:2; Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:14; Luke 18:16; 1 Corinthians 14:20; 1 Peter 2:2;">[xr]
and said, Amen I say to you, unless you be converted and become as children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.
and said: Verily I say to you, that unless ye be converted, and become like children, ye will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
And sayde. Ueryly I say vnto you: except ye turne, and become as litle chyldren, ye shall not enter into the kyngdome of heauen.
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.
and said, "Most assuredly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
said, "In solemn truth I tell you that unless you turn and become like little children, you will in no case be admitted into the Kingdom of the Heavens.
and seide, Y seie treuthe to you, but ye be turned, and maad as litle children, ye schulen not entre in to the kyngdom of heuenes.
and said, Truly I say to you, Except you turn, and become as little children, you shall in no way enter into the kingdom of heaven.
And said, Verily I say to you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
and said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn around and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven!
and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Then he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.
He said, "For sure, I tell you, unless you have a change of heart and become like a little child, you will not get into the holy nation of heaven.
and said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
and said - Verily, I say unto you, Except ye turn and become as the children, in nowise, shall ye enter into the kingdom of the heavens.
And said: amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
and sayd. Verely I say vnto you: except ye tourne and become as chyldren ye cannot enter into the kyngdom of heven.
and said, `Verily I say to you, if ye may not be turned and become as the children, ye may not enter into the reign of the heavens;
and sayde: Verely I saye vnto you: Excepte ye turne and become as children, ye shal not entre into the kyngdome of heauen.
and said, I declare to you, except ye lay aside your ambition, and become as children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of the Messias.
said, "Unless you can change and learn to have the same kind of faith and trust that this little cowboy does, you will never enter the Boss's ranch.
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Verily: Matthew 5:18, Matthew 6:2, Matthew 6:5, Matthew 6:16, John 1:51, John 3:3
Except: Matthew 13:15, Psalms 51:10-13, Psalms 131:2, Isaiah 6:10, Mark 4:12, Luke 22:32, Acts 3:19, Acts 28:27, James 5:19, James 5:20
and become: Mark 10:14, Mark 10:15, Luke 18:16, Luke 18:17, 1 Corinthians 14:20, 1 Peter 2:2
enter: Matthew 5:20, Matthew 19:23, Luke 13:24, John 3:5, Acts 14:22, 2 Peter 1:11
Reciprocal: 1 Kings 3:7 - a little Psalms 51:13 - converted Matthew 7:13 - at Matthew 7:21 - shall Matthew 10:42 - one Matthew 11:25 - and hast Matthew 19:14 - for Matthew 20:25 - called Matthew 21:31 - Verily Mark 9:37 - receive one Mark 10:23 - enter Luke 17:2 - one Luke 22:26 - General John 6:53 - Except Acts 8:31 - How Acts 18:26 - expounded Ephesians 4:14 - no more
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And said, verily I say unto you,.... You may take it for a certain truth, and what may be depended upon, that
except ye be converted or turned; from that gross notion of a temporal kingdom, and of enjoying great grandeur, and outward felicity in this world; and from all your vain views of honour, wealth, and riches,
and become as little children: the Arabic renders it, "as this child"; that is, unless ye learn to entertain an humble, and modest opinion of yourselves, are not envious at one another, and drop all contentions about primacy and pre-eminence, and all your ambitious views of one being greater than another, in a vainly expected temporal kingdom; things which are not to be found in little children, though not free from sin in other respects,
ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven: ye shall be so far from being one greater than another in it, that you shall not enter into it at all; meaning his visible, spiritual kingdom, which should take place, and appear after his resurrection, upon his ascension to heaven, and pouring forth of the Spirit: and it is to be observed, that the apostles carried these carnal views, contentions, and sentiments, till that time, and then were turned from them, and dropped them; for, upon the extraordinary effusion of the Holy Spirit, they were cleared of these worldly principles, and understood the spiritual nature of Christ's kingdom; which they then entered into, and took their place in, and filled it up with great success, without envying one another; having received the same commission from their Lord, and Master: so that these words are a sort of prophecy of what should be, as well as designed as a rebuke to them for their present ambition and contentions.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
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 subject of inquiry and controversy. Mark Mark 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. Luke Luke 9:47 says that Jesus perceived the thought of their heart an act implying omniscience, for none can search the heart but God, Jeremiah 17:10. The disciples, conscious that the subject of their dispute was known, requested Jesus to decide it, Matthew 18:1. They were at first silent through shame (Mark), but, perceiving that the subject of their dispute was known, they came, as Matthew states, and referred the master to him for his opinion.
Matthew 18:2, Matthew 18:3
Except ye be converted - The word âconvertedâ means changed or turned.
The verb means to change or turn from one habit of life or set of opinions to another, James 5:19; Luke 22:32. See also Matthew 7:6; Matthew 16:23; Luke 7:9, etc., where the same word is used in the original. It sometimes refers to that great change called the new birth or regeneration Psalms 51:13; Isaiah 60:5; Acts 3:19, but not always. It is a general word, meaning any change. The word âregenerationâ denotes a particular change the beginning to live a spiritual life. The phrase, âExcept ye be converted,â does not imply, of necessity, that they were not Christians before, or had not been born again. It means that their opinions and feelings about the kingdom of the Messiah must be changed. They had supposed that he was to be a temporal prince. They expected he would reign as other kings did. They supposed he would have his great officers of state, as other monarchs had, and they were ambitiously inquiring who should hold the highest offices. Jesus told them that they were wrong in their views and expectations. No such things would take place. From these notions they must be turned, changed or converted, or they could have no part in his kingdom. These ideas did not fit at all the nature of his kingdom.
And become as little children - Children are, to a great extent, destitute of ambition, pride, and haughtiness They are characteristically humble and teachable. By requiring his disciples to be like them, he did not intend to express any opinion about the native moral character of children, but simply that in these respects they must become like them. They must lay aside their ambitious views and their pride, and be willing to occupy their proper station - a very lowly one. Mark says Mark 9:35 that Jesus, before he placed the little child in the midst of them, told them that âif any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all and servant of all.â That is, he shall be the most distinguished Christian who is the most humble, and who is willing to be esteemed least and last of all. To esteem ourselves as God esteems us is humility, and it cannot be degrading to think of ourselves as we are; but pride, or an attempt to be thought of more importance than we are, is foolish, wicked, and degrading.
Matthew 18:4
The greatest ... - That is, shall be the most eminent Christian shall have most of the true spirit of religion.
Matthew 18:5
And whoso shall receive one such little child - That is, whoso shall receive and love one with a spirit like this child one who is humble, meek, and unambitious - that is, a real Christian.
In my name - As a follower of me, or because he is attached to me.
Whoso receives one possessed of my spirit, or who loves him because he has that spirit, loves me also. The word âreceiveâ means to approve, love, or treat with kindness; to aid in the time of need. See Matthew 25:35-40.
Mark Mark 9:38 and Luke Luke 9:49 add a conversation that took place on this occasion, which has been omitted by Matthew. John told him that they had seen one casting out devils in his name, and they forbade him, because he followed not with them. Jesus replied that he should not have been forbidden, for there was no one who could work a miracle in his name that could lightly speak evil of him. That is, though he did not attend them though he had not joined himself to their society, yet he could not really be opposed to him. Indeed, they should have remembered that the power to work a miracle must always come from the same source, that is, God; and that he who had the ability given him to work a miracle, and who did it in the name of Christ, must be a real friend to him. It is probable, from this, that the power of working miracles in the name of Christ was given to many who did not attend on his ministry.
Matthew 18:6
Whoso shall offend - That is, cause to fall, or to sin; or who should place anything in their way to hinder their piety or happiness. See notes at Matthew 5:29.
These little ones - That is, Christians manifesting the spirit of little children, 1Jo 2:1, 1 John 2:12, 1 John 2:18, 1 John 2:28.
It were better for him that a millstone ... - Mills, anciently, were either turned by hand (see the notes at Matthew 24:41), or by beasts, chiefly by mules. These last were of the larger kind, and the original words denote that it was this kind that was intended. This was one mode of capital punishment practiced by the Greeks, Syrians, Romans, and by some other nations. The meaning is, it would be better for him to have died before he had committed the sin. To injure, or to cause to sin, the feeblest Christian, will be regarded by Christ as a most serious offence, and will be punished accordingly.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Matthew 18:3. Except ye be converted — Unless ye be saved from those prejudices which are at present so baneful to your nation, (seeking a temporal and not a spiritual kingdom,) unless ye be clothed with the spirit of humility, ye cannot enter into the spirit, design, and privileges of my spiritual and eternal kingdom. The name of this kingdom should put you in mind of its nature. -
1. The KING is heavenly;
2. His SUBJECTS are heavenly-minded;
3. Their COUNTRY is heavenly, for they are strangers and pilgrims upon earth;
4. The GOVERNMENT of this kingdom is wholly spiritual and divine.
See on Matthew 3:2.
And become as little children — i.e. Be as truly without worldly ambition, and the lust of power, as little children are, who act among themselves as if all were equal. The following saying from the Boostan of the poet Saady is very appropriate. "The hearts of infants being free from avarice, what care they for a handful of silver more than for a handful of dust?"
