Luke 18:17

Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus speaks after calling the children to Him and declaring the kingdom belongs to them, immediately before a ruler asks about inheriting eternal life.

The words — ἀμὴν (amēn) carries the literal sense “Amen” or “truly,” and δέξηται (dexētai) means “shall receive” or “receives.”

The thread — The statement runs parallel to Matthew 18:3 and Mark 10:15, while Psalm 131:1 provides the scriptural backdrop for the humility it describes.

Why it lands — The text states that anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. It requires readers to replace self-reliant striving with the unpretentious dependence of a child.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

ἀμὴνamēnAmen λέγωlegōI say ὑμῖν·huminto you;ὃςhoswho[ever]ἂνanmaybe μὴmēnot δέξηταιdexētaishall receive τὴνtēnthe βασιλείανbasileiankingdom τοῦtou<the>θεοῦtheouof God ὡςhōsas παιδίον,paidiona child,οὐoucertainly μὴmēnot εἰσέλθῃeiselthēshall enter εἰςeisinto αὐτήν.¶autēnit.

King James Version

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

Cross-references

Matthew 18:3 “Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Mark 10:15 Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Psalms 131:1 A song of ascents. Of David. My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty. I do not aspire to great things or matters too lofty for me.
1 Peter 1:14 As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance.