At that time the disciples approached Jesus and said, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a child over, placed it in their midst, 3 and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.
6 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of things that cause sin! Such things must come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 8 If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into fiery Gehenna.
10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.
Matthew 18:1-10 begins with a question about status. The disciples ask, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (v. 1). Jesus answers with a sign. He calls a child, places the child in front of them, and speaks plainly. “Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (v. 3). In the first-century world, a child had no rank and depended on others for everything. Jesus uses this image to correct the desire for honor. Greatness in God’s reign is not about position. It begins with lowliness before God and a trusting heart. “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (v. 4).
To “become like children” does not mean to be naïve. It means to accept one’s smallness before God. It means to receive life as a gift, to rely on God’s help, and to stop seeking superiority over others. This change is not optional. Jesus says, “unless you turn” (v. 3). The verb signals conversion: a change of direction from self-exaltation to humble dependence on God.
Jesus then joins humility to concrete action. “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me” (v. 5). To “receive” means to welcome, protect, and provide for. The words “in my name” link that welcome to Jesus Himself. How we treat the small and the weak reveals how we treat the Lord. The “child” here represents both actual children and all “little ones” in the community—believers who are poor, unknown, or vulnerable (vv. 5-6, 10). This aligns with Jesus’ later teaching: to welcome the least is to welcome Him (Mt 25:35, 40; cf. Mt 10:40-42; Mk 9:37).
Next, Jesus gives a severe warning about scandal—leading others into sin by bad example, false teaching, coercion, or failure to protect the vulnerable. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin” faces a judgment worse than a violent death (v. 6). The verb “cause to sin” translates a word that means “to make stumble.” It includes leading someone into sin, placing a trap before them, or putting pressure on them to abandon faith. Jesus chooses a stark picture to show the gravity: a great “millstone” used by a donkey, far heavier than a hand mill, tied around the neck and the person thrown into the sea (v. 6). The point is not cruelty. The point is seriousness. Harming the faith or moral life of the weak is a grave offense before God.
This is why Jesus speaks about radical action against sin. “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off… If your eye causes you to sin, tear it out” (vv. 8-9). This is deliberate hyperbole. Jesus is not commanding self-harm. He is teaching the decisive removal of anything that becomes an occasion of sin. Hands, feet, and eyes picture actions, paths, and desires. If a practice, place, or pattern gives sin a foothold, remove it. It is better to lose something valuable than to forfeit life with God and be thrown into eternal fire (vv. 8-9).
Matthew uses the word “Gehenna” (v. 9). Gehenna refers to the Valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem. In Israel’s history, it became a symbol of judgment because of grave sins committed there (2 Kgs 23:10). By the time of Jesus, “Gehenna” served as an image for final condemnation. Jesus sets a clear contrast: “life” with God, or “Gehenna,” the loss that follows unrepented sin (vv. 8-9). The language is strong to awaken caution. Sin is not a minor fault in the kingdom of heaven. It destroys communion with God and harms others.
Jesus returns to the “little ones” and adds a reason we must not despise them: “their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father” (v. 10). Scripture speaks often of angels as God’s servants and messengers. They worship God and carry out His care for His people (cf. Ps 91:11-12). Here, Jesus states that the angels of the “little ones” have direct access to God. The phrase “always look upon the face of my Father” expresses immediate standing before the divine throne. It is a way of saying that heaven is attentive to children, the weak and the humble, and those who are new or fragile in faith. Therefore, do not look down on them, do not overlook them, and do not harm them.
Taken together, the passage teaches three linked truths. First, entry and greatness in the kingdom require humility (vv. 3-4). Status seeking has no place in a community shaped by the cross. Second, the community must guard its most vulnerable members (vv. 5-7, 10). To welcome them is to welcome Christ; to scandalize them is a grave offense. Third, disciples must fight sin at its roots (vv. 8-9). Remove habits, patterns, and sources of temptation that lead away from God. The images are strong because the stakes are real: life with God or loss through unrepented sin.
Lord Jesus, give me a humble heart that depends on You. Teach me to honor and protect the little ones. Help me to remove whatever leads me into sin. May Your holy angels keep faithful watch over all who believe in You. Amen.
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Sources and References:
- The Holy Bible, New American Bible, Revised Edition (2011), Mt 18:1-10; Mt 25:35, 40; Ps 91:11-12.
- The Navarre Bible: Matthew (2008), notes on Mt 18.
- The Paulist Biblical Commentary (2018), “Matthew,” on Mt 18 (Community Discourse).
- The New Jerome Biblical Commentary (1990), §41 on Mt 18.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al., A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture (1953), on Mt 18.
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