Bible Strands
Matthew 18:2
Jesus invited a little child to stand among them.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses the disciples' question about greatness by summoning a child forward. He physically places the child in their midst to serve as a tangible standard.
The words — προσκαλεσάμενος (proskalesamenos) means "having called to [Him]" and denotes a deliberate, authoritative summons. ἔστησεν (estēsen) translates literally as "He set," describing the concrete act of positioning the child among the group.
The thread — The same scene of Jesus having a child stand among the disciples appears in Mark 9:36. The broader context of Jesus receiving children is recorded in Matthew 19:13.
Why it lands — The text states that kingdom status is measured by childlike dependence rather than adult ambition. It requires the reader to abandon hierarchical pride and adopt a posture of immediate humility.
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
King James Version
And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
Cross-references
- Matthew 19:13 Then little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. And the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
- 1 Kings 3:7 And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in.
- Mark 9:36 Then He had a little child stand among them. Taking the child in His arms, He said to them,
- Jeremiah 1:7 But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak.