Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples after they have asked who is greatest in the kingdom, with a child standing among them as the illustration.
The words — στραφῆτε (straphēte), aorist passive subjunctive of στρέφω, carries "you may turn" — a deliberate reorientation of direction, not a passive state of being.
The thread — The same child-as-condition motif appears in Mark 10:14 and Matthew 19:14 ("the kingdom of heaven belongs to such people"), and 1 Peter 2:2 extends the image to newborns craving spiritual milk for growth.
Why it lands — It sets a condition, not a suggestion: the reader must actively turn away from a posture of self-elevation, and the verse offers no intermediate grade of partial turning.
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 said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Cross-references
- Mark 10:14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
- 1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
- Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
- Luke 18:16 But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
- 1 Corinthians 14:20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
- Psalms 131:2 Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
- John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
- John 3:3 Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”
- Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
- Luke 13:24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.