Their Manual of Disciple dealt with many specific rules; here Jesus deals with principles and attitudes that should mark His people as they get along with each other. Who then is greatest : The disciples were often concerned about the question of greatness. They seem to ask this question thinking that Jesus has already chosen one of them as greatest , or as if they wanted Jesus to decide among them. Is greatest in the kingdom of heaven : The disciples wanted to know who would hold the highest position in the administration Jesus would soon establish. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Instead, Jesus drew their attention to His nature by having them look at a child as an example. The fact that the child came when Jesus called says something about Jesus.
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New Testament
Chapter 18 of the Gospel of Matthew contains the fourth of the five Discourses of Matthew , also called the Discourse on the Church. The general theme of the discourse is the anticipation of a future community of followers, and the role of his apostles in leading it. Addressing his apostles in Matthew , Jesus states: "what things soever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven ; and what things soever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven", see also Binding and loosing. The discourse emphasizes the importance of humility and self-sacrifice as the high virtues within the anticipated community.
Related Commentaries for Matthew 18
Sorry, an error was encountered while loading comparison. Sorry, an error was encountered while loading the book. Sorry, you don't have permission to view that book. Sorry, an error was encountered while loading part of the book. An error occurred while marking the devotional as read. An error occurred while accessing favorites. Looking to help your church and family stay connected to the Word while social distancing? Check out our free church library, church online resources, and family resources. Who Is the Greatest? Temptations to Sin.
Do you not remember t the five loaves for the five thousand , and how many baskets you gathered? For g flesh and blood has not revealed this to you , h but my Father who is in heaven. You are u a hindrance 6 to me. For you v are not setting your mind on the things of God , but on the things of man. Or z what shall a man give in return for his soul? If you wish , I will make three tents here , one for you and one for Moses and one for l Elijah. For often he falls into the fire , and often into the water. Bring him here to me. From whom do kings of the earth take toll or r tax?
