181 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said , " Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven ?" 2 And He called a child to Himself and set him before e them, 3 and said , "Truly I say to you, unless e you are converted and become like children , you will not enter the kingdom of heaven . 4 "Whoever then humbles himself as this child , he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven . 5 "And whoever e receives one such child in My name receives Me;
6 but whoever e causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble , it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck , and to be drowned in the depth of the sea .
7 "Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks ! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come ; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes ! 8 " If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble , cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame , than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire . 9 " If your eye causes you to stumble , pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye , than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 18:1-9
Commentary on Matthew 18:1-6
(Read Matthew 18:1-6)
Christ spoke many words of his sufferings, but only one of his glory; yet the disciples fasten upon that, and overlook the others. Many love to hear and speak of privileges and glory, who are willing to pass by the thoughts of work and trouble. Our Lord set a little child before them, solemnly assuring them, that unless they were converted and made like little children, they could not enter his kingdom. Children, when very young, do not desire authority, do not regard outward distinctions, are free from malice, are teachable, and willingly dependent on their parents. It is true that they soon begin to show other dispositions, and other ideas are taught them at an early age; but these are marks of childhood, and render them proper emblems of the lowly minds of true Christians. Surely we need to be daily renewed in the spirit of our minds, that we may become simple and humble, as little children, and willing to be the least of all. Let us daily study this subject, and examine our own spirits.
Commentary on Matthew 18:7-14
(Read Matthew 18:7-14)
Considering the cunning and malice of Satan, and the weakness and depravity of men's hearts, it is not possible but that there should be offences. God permits them for wise and holy ends, that those who are sincere, and those who are not, may be made known. Being told before, that there will be seducers, tempters, persecutors, and bad examples, let us stand on our guard. We must, as far as lawfully we may, part with what we cannot keep without being entangled by it in sin. The outward occasions of sin must be avoided. If we live after the flesh, we must die. If we, through the Spirit, mortify the deeds of the body, we shall live. Christ came into the world to save souls, and he will reckon severely with those who hinder the progress of others who are setting their faces heavenward. And shall any of us refuse attention to those whom the Son of God came to seek and to save? A father takes care of all his children, but is particularly tender of the little ones.