Matthew 18:2

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Matthew 18:2 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Jesus invited a little child to stand among them.

King James Version KJV

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

American Standard Version ASV

And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them,

Bible in Basic English BBE

And he took a little child, and put him in the middle of them,

Free Bible Version FBV

Jesus called over a small child. He had the child stand in front of them.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And Iesus called a litle childe vnto him, and set him in the mids of them,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And Jesus having called near a child, did set him in the midst of them,

World English Bible WEB

Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the middle of them

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And Jesus called a little child to him, and set him in the midst of them,

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And Jesus calling unto him a little child, set him in the midst of them,

Translation for Translators T4T

Jesus called a child to come, and he placed that child in our midst.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 18:2

BAB

Word Study

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Matthew 18:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK και προσκαλεσαμενος ο ιησους παιδιον εστησεν αυτο εν μεσω αυτων

και kai G2532 and Conj

προσκαλεσαμενος proskaleō G4341 to call to/summon Verb-ADP-NSM

ο ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSM

ιησους Iēsous G2424 Joshua Noun-NSM

παιδιον paidion G3813 child Noun-ASN

εστησεν histēmi G2476 to stand Verb-AAI-3S

αυτο autos G846 it/s/he Pron-ASN

εν en G1722 in/on/among Prep

μεσω mesos G3319 midst Adj-DSN

αυτων autos G846 it/s/he Pron-GPM

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 18:2

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

προσκαλεσαμενος proskaleō G4341 "to call to/summon" Verb-ADP-NSM

To call to or summon means to invite someone to come near, like in Matthew 10:1 and Mark 3:13. This can be a physical or spiritual call, where God or someone in authority is inviting others to follow or respond.

Definition: προσ-καλέω, -ῶ [in LXX chiefly for קָרָא ;] to call to. Mid., to call to oneself (see M, Pr., 157): with accusative of person(s), Mat.10:1, Mrk.3:13 6:7, Luk.7:19, Act.5:40, Jas.5:14, al. Metaphorical, of the Divine call: Act.2:39; with inf., Act.16:10 (see Bl., § 69, 4); before εἰς, Act.13:2.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 31 NT verses. KJV: call (for, to, unto) See also: Acts 2:39; Luke 18:16; James 5:14.

ο ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSM

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

ιησους Iēsous G2424 "Joshua" Noun-NSM

Jesus is the Greek name for Joshua, which means God is salvation. It is used to refer to Jesus Christ, the son of God, as well as other Israelites with the same name. The name Jesus appears over 900 times in the New Testament.

Definition: Ἰωσή, see: Ἰωσῆς - -ῆ (Rec. -ή Luk.3:29; AV, Jose; see: Ἰησοῦς, 3), and -ῆτος (Mk, ll with), ὁ, Joses; __1. brother of our Lord: Mrk.6:3, Mat.13:55 (Rec., see: Ἰωσήφ). __2. Son of Mary: Mat.27:56 (-σήφ), WH, txt), Mrk.15:40, 47 __3. see: Βαρνάβας.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 932 NT verses. KJV: Jesus See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1.

παιδιον paidion G3813 "child" Noun-ASN

A child refers to a young person, either a boy or girl, who is still in the early stages of development, as seen in Matthew 2:8-9 and Luke 1:59. This term can also be used to describe an immature Christian.

Definition: παιδίον, -ου, τό dimin, of παῖς, [in LXX chiefly for יֶלֶד, also for נַעַר, בֵּן, etc., frequently in To in ref. to full-grown youth ;] a young child, a little one: Mat.2:8-9, 11, ff., Luk.1:59, 66 1:76, 80 2:17, 27 2:40, Jhn.16:21, Heb.11:23; of older children, Mat.18:2, 4-5, Mrk.5:39-41 7:30 9:24, 36, Luk.9:47-48 18:17, Jhn.4:49; in pl., Mat.11:16 14:21 15:38 18:3 19:13-14, Mrk.7:28 10:13 ff., Luk.7:32 11:7 18:16, Heb.2:13-14 Metaphorical, 1Co.14:20. Colloq. in familiar address (as Eng. colloq., "lads "-see M, Pr., 170n and Irish use of "boys"): Jhn.21:5, 1Jn.2:13 Jn 2:18 Jn 3:7 † SYN.: see: παῖς (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 48 NT verses. KJV: (little, young) child, damsel See also: 1 Corinthians 14:20; Mark 5:41; Hebrews 2:13.

εστησεν histēmi G2476 "to stand" Verb-AAI-3S

To stand means to be in an upright position, either physically or figuratively, as seen in Mark 7:9 and Acts 1:23. It can also mean to establish or appoint someone to a position, like in Acts 1:23 and Hebrews 10:9.

Definition: ἵστημι, and in late writers, also ἱστάνω (Veitch, see word; Bl., §23, 2; M, Pr., 55), [in LXX chiefly for עמד, קוּם, also for נצב ni., hi., יצב hith., etc.]. __I. Trans, in pres., impf., fut. and 1 aor. act. and in the tenses of the pass. __1. to make to stand, to place, set, set up, establish, appoint: with accusative of person(s), Mrk.7:9, Act.1:23 6:13 17:31, Heb.10:9; id. before ἐπί, with accusative loc, Mat.4:5, Luk.4:9; ἐν μέσῳ, Mat.18:2, Mrk.9:36, Jhn.8:[3]; ἐνώπιον, Act.6:6; παρ᾽ ἑαυτῷ, Luk.9:47; ἐκ δεξιῶν, Mat.25:33; mid., to place oneself, to stand: Rev.18:15; so also pass., to be made to stand, to stand: Mat.2:9, Luk.11:18 19:8, 2Co.13:1, al. __2. to set in a balance, to weigh (cl.; LXX for שׁקל, Isa.46:6, al.): Mat.26:15, __II. Intrans., in pf., plpf. (with sense of present and impf.; M, Pr., 147f.) and 2 aor. act., to stand, stand by, stand still: Mat.20:32 26:73, Mrk.10:49, Luk.8:44, Jhn.1:35 3:29, Act.16:9, al.; before ἐν, Mat.6:5, al.; ἐνώπιον, Act.10:30, al.; πρός, with dative loc., Jhn.18:16; ἐπί, with genitive loc., Luk.6:17, Act.5:23 25:10, al.; ἔμπροσθεν, Mat.27:11; κύκλῳ, Rev.7:11; ἐκ δεξιῶν, Luk.1:11; ἐπί, with accusative, Mat.13:2, Rev.3:20; παρά, Luk.5:2; ἐκεῖ, Mrk.11:5; ὧδε, Mrk.9:1; ὅπου, Mrk.13:14; ἔξω, Mat.12:46; μακρόθεν, Luk.18:13; πόρρωθεν, Luk.17:12. Metaphorical, to stand ready, stand firm, be steadfast: 1Co.7:37 10:12, Eph.6:11, 13 14, Col.4:12; τ. πίστει, Rom.11:20; ἐν τ. ἀληθείᾳ, Jhn.8:44; εν τ. χάριτι, Rom.5:2; ἐν τ. εὐαγγελίῳ, 1Co.15:1 (cf. ἀν-, ἐπ-ἀν-, ἐξ-ἀν, ἀνθ-, ἀφ-, δι-, ἐν-, ἐξ-, ἐπ- (-μαι), ἐφ-, κατ-ἐφ-, συν-ἐφ-, καθ-, ἀντι-καθ-, ἀπο-καθ-, μεθ-, παρ-, περι-, προ-, συν-ίστημι). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 150 NT verses. KJV: abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up) See also: 1 Corinthians 7:37; Luke 6:17; 1 Peter 5:12.

αυτο autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-ASN

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.

εν en G1722 "in/on/among" Prep

This word is a preposition that means in, on, or among something. It's used in many places, like Matthew 7:3 and Luke 7:37, to describe a location or relationship. It can also mean by, with, or during.

Definition: ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). __I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; after verbs of motion, instead of εἰς (constructio praegnans, a usage extended in late Gk. beyond the limits observed in cl.; cf. Bl., §41, 1; M, Th., 12), ἀποστέλλω . . . ἐν, Mat.10:16. δέδωκεν ἐν τ. χειρί (cf. τιθέναι ἐν χερσί, Hom., Il., i, 441, al.), Jhn.3:35; id. after verbs of coming and going (not in cl.), εἰσῆλθε, Luk.9:46; ἐξῆλθεν, Luk.7:17. __II. Of state, condition, form, occupation, etc.: ἐν ζωῇ, Rom.5:10; ἐν τ. θανάτῳ, 1Jn.3:14; ἐν πειρασμοῖς, 1Pe.1:6; ἐν εἰρήνῃ, Mrk.5:25; ἐν δόξῃ, Php.4:19; ἐν πραΰτητι, Jas.3:13; ἐν μυστηρίῳ, 1Co.2:7; ἐν τ. διδαχῇ, Mrk.4:2; of a part as contained in a whole, ἐν τ. ἀμπέλῳ, Jhn.15:4; ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι, Rom.12:4; of accompanying objects or persons (simple dative in cl.), with, ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:25; ἐν δέκα χιλιάσιν, Luk.14:31 (cf. Ju 14, Act.7:14); similarly (cl.), of clothing, armour, arms, ἐν στολαῖς, Mrk.12:38; ἐν ἐσθῆτι λαμπρᾷ, Jas.2:2; ἐν μαξαίρῃ, Luk.22:49; ἐν ῥάβδῳ, 1Co.4:21 (cf. ἐν τόξοις, Xen., Mem., 3, 9, 2); of manner (cl.), ἐν τάχει (= ταχέως), Luk.18:8 (cf. Bl., §41, 1); of spiritual influence, ἐν πνεύματι, Rom.8:9; ἐν π. ἀκαθάρτῳ, Mrk.1:23; of the mystical relation of the Christian life and the believer himself, to God and Christ (cf. ICC, Ro., 160f.; Mayor on Ju 1; M, Pr., 103): ἐν Χριστῷ, Rom.3:24, 6:11, 1Co.3:1, 4:10, 2Co.12:2, Gal.2:17, Eph.6:21, Col.4:7, 1Th.4:16, al. __III. Of the agent, instrument or means (an extension of cl. ἐν of instr.—see LS, see word Ill—corresponding to similar use of Heb. בְּ), by, with: ἐν ὑμῖν κρίνεται ὁ κόσμος (= cl. παρά, C. dative), 1Co.6:2; ἐν τ. ἄρχοντι τ. δαιμονίων, Mat.9:34; ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:22; ἐν ὕδατι, Mat.3:11, al.; ἐν μαχαίρᾳ ἀποκτενεῖ (cf. the absol. ἐν μ., ἐν ῥάβδῳ, supr., II, which some would classify here), Rev.13:10 (cf. 6:8). Allied to this usage and distinctly Semitic are the following: ἠγόρασας . . . ἐν τ. αἵματι σου (cf. BDB, see word בְּ, III, 3), Rev.5:9; ὁμολογεῖν ἐν (= Aram. אודי בּ; cf. McNeile on Mt, I.with; M, Pr., 104), Mat.10:32, Luk.12:8; ὀμνύναι ἐν (= cl. accusative, so Jas.5:12), Mat.5:34, al.; also at the rate of, amounting to, Mrk.4:8 (WH; vv. ll., εἰς, ἒν), Act.7:14 (LXX). __IV. Of time, __(a) in or during a period: ἐν τ. ἡμέρᾳ (νυκτί), Jhn.11:9, al.; ἐν σαββάτῳ, Mat.12:2, al.; ἐν τῷ μεταξύ, meanwhile, Jhn.4:31; __(b) at the time of an event: ἐν τ. παρουσίᾳ, 1Co.15:23; ἐν τ. ἀναστάσει, Mat.22:28; __(with) with art. inf., __(α) present (so sometimes in cl., but not as in NT = ἕως; V. M, Pr., 215), while: Mat.13:4, Mrk.6:48, Gal.4:18, al.; __(β) aor., when, after: Luk.9:36, al.; __(d) within (cl.): Mat.27:40, __V. In composition: (1) meaning: (a) with adjectives, it signifies usually the possession of a quality, as ἐνάλιος, ἐν́δοξος; (b) with verbs, continuance in (before ἐν) or motion into (before εἰς), as ἐμμένω, ἐμβαίνω. (ii) Assimilation: ἐν becomes ἐμ- before β, μ, π, φ, ψ; ἐγ- before γ, κ, ξ, χ; ἐλ- before λ. But in the older MSS of NT, followed by modern editions, assimilation is sometimes neglected, as in ἐνγράφω, ἐγκαινίζω, etc. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2120 NT verses. KJV: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 15:17; 1 Peter 1:2.

μεσω mesos G3319 "midst" Adj-DSN

Middle or midst, referring to a central position, is used in Luke 23:45 and John 19:18 to describe a location.

Definition: μέσος, -η, -ον [in LXX chiefly for תָּוֶךְ ;] middle, in the middle or midst; __1. prop., as an adj.: Luk.23:45, Jhn.19:18, Act.1:18; with genitive pl., Luk.22:55, Jhn.1:26; genitive temp. (Bl., § 36, 13), μέσης νυκτός, Mat.25:6; μ. ἡμέρας, Act.26:13. __2. In adverbial phrases, neut., μέσον, τὸ μ., as subst.: ἀνὰ μέσον, with genitive, between (cl.; in LXX: Gen.1:4, al.), elliptically (but see M, Pr., 99), 1Co.6:5; = ἐν μ., among, in the midst of (El., § 39, 2; 40, 8; cf. in LXX: Jos.19:1, Sir.27:2), Mat.13:25, Mrk.7:31, Rev.7:17; διὰ μέσου, with genitive, Luk.4:30; διὰ μέσον (Rec. -ου, see 81., § 42, 1), between, Luk.17:11 (ICC, in l); εἰς τὸ μ. (see: εἰς), Mrk.3:3, Luk.4:35 5:19 6:8, Jhn.20:19, 26; εἰς μ., Mrk.14:60; ἐν τῷ μ., Mat.14:6; ἐν μ., Jos.8:3, 9, Act.4:7; with, genitive loc., Mrk.6:47, Luk.21:21 22:55, Act.17:22, Heb.2:12" (LXX), Rev.4:6 5:6 22:2. with genitive pl., Mat.10:16 18:2, 20, Mrk.9:36, Luk.2:46 8:7 10:3 22:27 24:36, Act.1:15 2:22 27:21, 1Th.2:7, Rev.1:13 2:1 5:6 6:6; κατὰ μέσον τ. νυκτός, Act.27:27 (Bl., § 47, 6); ἐκ τοῦ μ. (Lft., in l; Deiss., BS, 252 f.), Col.2:14; ἐκ μ.., 2Th.2:7; ἐκ τοῦ μ., with genitive, Mat.13:49, Act.17:33 23:10, 1Co.5:2, 2Co.6:17. __3. Neut., μέσον, adverbially, with genitive, in the midst of, Mat.14:24 (WH, txt., R, mg., aliter), Php.2:15 (διὰ μέσουsee supr.-also Jhn.8:50, R, mg.).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 58 NT verses. KJV: among, X before them, between, + forth, mid(-day, -night), midst, way See also: 1 Corinthians 5:2; Luke 8:7; Hebrews 2:12.

αυτων autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-GPM

This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.

Study Notes — Matthew 18:2

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Matthew 18:2 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Matthew 18:2
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 18:2
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 18:2
Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 18:2
Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 18:2
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 18:2
Cambridge Bible on Matthew 18:2
Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 18:2
Sermons on Matthew 18:2

Context — The Greatest in the Kingdom

1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

2Jesus invited a little child to stand among them.

3“Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Matthew 19:13–14	Then the 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. 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.”
2	Mark 9:36–37	Then He had a little child stand among them. Taking the child in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes not only Me, but the One who sent Me.”
3	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.
4	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.

Matthew 18:2 Summary

In Matthew 18:2, Jesus invites a little child to stand among the disciples to teach them about humility and greatness in the kingdom of heaven. This shows that Jesus values simplicity and trust, and that we should not underestimate the importance of childlike faith (Matthew 18:3-4, Mark 10:15). To become like little children means to humble ourselves and trust in God, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 18:3 and Luke 9:48. By following Jesus' example, we can learn to approach God with a simple and humble heart, as seen in Matthew 18:3-4 and Psalm 131:1-3.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Jesus invite a little child to stand among the disciples in Matthew 18:2?

Jesus invited a little child to stand among the disciples to illustrate a point about humility and greatness in the kingdom of heaven, as seen in Matthew 18:4, and to show that children are a vital part of God's kingdom, as mentioned in Matthew 19:14.

What can we learn from the fact that Jesus used a child to teach the disciples?

We can learn that Jesus values humility and simplicity, as stated in Matthew 18:3-4, and that we should not underestimate the importance of childlike faith, as seen in Matthew 18:6 and Mark 10:15.

How does this verse relate to the concept of spiritual greatness?

This verse shows that spiritual greatness is not about power or status, but about humility and a childlike trust in God, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 18:4 and Luke 9:48.

What does it mean to 'become like little children' as mentioned in the surrounding verses?

To become like little children means to humble ourselves, trust in God, and have a simple faith, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 18:3 and Mark 10:15, and as seen in the example of the disciples' faith in John 1:12-13 and Matthew 17:20.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I can cultivate a childlike humility and faith in my own life, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 18:3-4?
How can I apply the lesson of Matthew 18:2 to my relationships with others, especially those who may seem insignificant or unimportant?
What are some things that prevent me from having a simple, childlike trust in God, and how can I overcome them, as seen in Romans 8:15-16 and 1 John 3:1-3?
How can I balance the idea of becoming like a little child with the need to mature in my faith, as seen in 1 Corinthians 13:11 and Ephesians 4:13-14?

Gill's Exposition on Matthew 18:2

And Jesus called a little child unto him,.... One, very likely, that was in the house, and might belong to the master of it, and which was big enough to come to him at his call.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 18:2

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? For the exposition, see the notes at Mark 9:33-50.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 18:2

See Poole on "".

Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 18:2

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, Ver. 2. And Jesus called a little child] Nicephorus saith this was Ignatius, who was afterwards Bishop of Antioch; but I am not bound to believe him. It is well known that he is full of fictions. Christ calling for a little child, who neither thinks great things of himself nor seeks great things for himself, rightly and really confutes their preposterous ambition and affectation of primacy, and gives them such a dumb answer as Tarquin did his son, when walking in the garden he struck off the heads of the poppies in the sight of the messenger: and as Periander the Corinthian did Thrasybulus the tyrant of Athens, when pulling off the upper ears of grain, he made all the standing grain equal, intimating thereby what a tyrant must do that would live safely and quietly.

Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 18:2

(2) Jesus called a little child unto him.—As the conversation was “in the house” (Mark 9:33), and that house probably was Peter’s, the child may have been one of his. As in other like incidents (Matthew 19:13; Matthew 21:15-16), we may recognise in our Lord’s act a recognition of the special beauty of childhood, a tender love for the gracious trust and freedom from rivalry which it shows when, as yet, the taint of egotism is undeveloped. St. Mark adds that He folded His arms round the child as in loving fondness, and, before He did so, uttered the warning words, “If any one will (wishes to) be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” A late tradition of the Eastern Church identified the child with Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, taking the name which he gave himself as passive, Θεοφόρος (Theo-phoros), “one who had been carried or borne by God.” Ignatius himself, however, uses it in its active sense, “one who carries God within him.”

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 18:2

Verse 2. A little child] But this child could walk, for he called him to him. Nicephorus says, this was Ignatius, who was afterwards bishop of Antioch, and suffered martyrdom under, and by command of, the Roman Emperor Trojan, in the 107th year of our Lord. But this good father is not much to be depended on, being both weak and credulous.

Cambridge Bible on Matthew 18:2

2. set him in the midst of them] St Mark adds, “when He had taken him in His arms.”

Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 18:2

2. Called a little child — There is an interesting tradition that this was St. Irenaeus, one of the most celebrated fathers of the early Church.

Sermons on Matthew 18:2

	Sermon	Description
	Mark 9:33-37. Christ Teaches Humility by the Example of a Child. by Favell Lee Mortimer	Favell Lee Mortimer reflects on the private conversations of Jesus with his disciples, highlighting the depth of wisdom and patience displayed in those moments. Despite the discipl
	Rediscovering Intuition by Ernest O'Neill	Ernest O'Neill discusses the concept of foolishness in denying the existence of God, emphasizing the worldly wisdom that leads many to reject the idea of a Creator and rely solely
	Exposition on Psalm 47 by St. Augustine	St. Augustine preaches on the Psalms of David, focusing on the significance of the sons of Korah in the titles, symbolizing a great Sacrament and urging listeners to understand the
	Homily 58 on Matthew by St. John Chrysostom	John Chrysostom preaches about the dangers of arrogance and the pursuit of worldly honors, highlighting the folly of seeking glory, wealth, and power as they lead to enslavement to
	Self-Sufficient People by David Wilkerson	David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of recognizing our dependence on God as His children, contrasting this with the self-sufficient mindset prevalent in society and even with
	(The Foundation and the Building) a 'Very Good' Marriage by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the preacher uses the analogy of a small boat in a vast ocean to describe the challenges and uncertainties of the world we live in. He emphasizes the importance of
	Evangelising the Men and Women of Tomorrow - Today by Ian Paisley	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of reaching out to people and persuading them to come to Christ. He encourages the congregation to have a passion for the sou