Matthew 18:2

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} called {G4341} a little child {G3813} unto him {G4341}, and set {G2476} him {G846} in {G1722} the midst {G3319} of them {G846},

Complete Jewish Bible

He called a child to him, stood him among them,

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus invited a little child to stand among them.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 18:2 presents a profound moment where Jesus, addressing His disciples' worldly ambitions concerning greatness, calls a young child to stand before them. This simple yet powerful act serves as a living illustration, dramatically subverting their expectations and setting the stage for a radical redefinition of true spiritual authority and value within the kingdom of heaven, emphasizing humility and dependence over status and power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the disciples' question to Jesus in [Matthew 18:1](/matthew/18-1 "Matthew 18:1 - The Disciples' Question About Greatness"): "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Their inquiry reveals a preoccupation with hierarchy and status, a common concern among those vying for prominence in any group, even among Jesus' closest followers. Jesus' response in Matthew 18:2-4 is not a direct answer to "who" but rather "what kind of person" is greatest, shifting the focus from individual ambition to the necessary posture of heart. The placement of the child is a direct, visual, and confrontational response to their worldly mindset, preparing them for the counter-cultural teaching that follows.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the 1st-century Jewish society, children held a significantly lower status than adults. They were not seen as individuals with rights or social standing but rather as dependents, property, and future contributors to the family and community. They lacked legal standing, economic power, and social influence. To "become like a little child" (as Jesus states in [Matthew 18:3](/matthew/18-3 "Matthew 18:3 - Becoming Like Children")) would have been understood as relinquishing all social standing, power, and self-importance. By placing a child "in the midst" of His disciples, Jesus performed a radical act that challenged the very foundations of their societal values and their ingrained understanding of power dynamics and leadership.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 18:2 introduces several pivotal themes that resonate throughout the chapter and the broader Gospel. The most prominent is **Humility as Greatness**, where Jesus radically redefines kingdom values, asserting that true greatness is found not in worldly power or status but in a humble, dependent, and unassuming spirit. This contrasts sharply with the disciples' worldly aspirations. Another key theme is **Childlike Qualities**, highlighting the essential characteristics of a child—such as trust, dependence, lack of pretense, and simple faith—as prerequisites for entering and thriving in God's kingdom, a concept further developed in [Matthew 18:3-4](/matthew/18-3-4 "Matthew 18:3-4 - Humility and Entering the Kingdom"). Finally, the act underscores the **Accessibility of the Kingdom**, emphasizing that God's kingdom is open to those who approach it with simple faith and humility, rather than intellectual prowess or social standing, echoing themes found in passages like [Mark 10:15](/mark/10-15 "Mark 10:15 - Receiving the Kingdom Like a Child").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **called (Greek, _proskaléomai'_):** This verb (G4341) signifies "to call toward oneself" or "to summon." It implies an intentional and authoritative act by Jesus. He doesn't merely notice the child; He actively draws the child to Himself, indicating a deliberate pedagogical purpose behind the action. This calling is an invitation, but also a command, establishing the child's central role in the ensuing lesson.
* **little child (Greek, _paidíon'_):** The term (G3813) is a neuter diminutive of _pais_ ("child"), emphasizing a young child, possibly an infant or a pre-adolescent. This choice of word highlights the child's inherent vulnerability, dependence, and lack of social status or self-sufficiency in the ancient world. Jesus deliberately selects someone considered insignificant to make a profoundly significant point about kingdom values.
* **midst (Greek, _mésos'_):** This word (G3319) denotes being "in the middle" or "among." Placing the child "in the midst" of the disciples is a highly symbolic act. It elevates the child from a position of societal insignificance to the very center of attention and instruction. This physical placement visually represents the spiritual principle Jesus is about to teach: that the qualities embodied by this child should be central to the disciples' understanding of greatness in God's kingdom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus called a little child unto him":** This phrase describes Jesus' deliberate and active initiation of the object lesson. He doesn't wait for a child to wander by; He specifically summons one. This act demonstrates His authority and intentionality, drawing attention to the chosen subject for His teaching. The "little child" represents innocence, dependence, and a lack of worldly status—qualities that stand in stark contrast to the disciples' aspirations for greatness.
* **"and set him in the midst of them":** This action is highly symbolic and climactic. By physically placing the child at the center of the group, Jesus elevates the child's status from societal insignificance to the focal point of the disciples' attention and the very heart of the discussion about greatness. It is a visual sermon, powerfully communicating that the qualities represented by the child are precisely what should be central to their understanding of kingdom values, directly challenging their hierarchical, status-driven mindset.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 18:2 employs several powerful literary devices. The primary device is the **Object Lesson**, where Jesus uses a tangible, observable item—the little child—to illustrate an abstract spiritual truth about humility and greatness. This method is highly effective for teaching, making the concept memorable and impactful. There is also profound **Symbolism** at play: the child symbolizes humility, dependence, innocence, and lack of pretense, qualities that Jesus will soon explicitly link to entering and being great in the kingdom. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Contrast**: Jesus' action directly contrasts the disciples' worldly ambition for status and power with the kingdom's counter-cultural value system, where the "least" (the child) becomes the model for the "greatest." This stark juxtaposition forces the disciples to confront their misconceptions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 18:2 lays a foundational theological principle: true greatness in God's kingdom is diametrically opposed to worldly notions of power, status, and self-assertion. Jesus' use of a child as a living parable underscores that spiritual maturity and influence are rooted in humility, dependence on God, and a willingness to receive the kingdom with simple faith, much like a child receives care. This teaching is a radical reorientation of values, challenging believers across all ages to shed pride and embrace a posture of lowliness and trust, recognizing that God exalts the humble and resists the proud. It speaks to the heart of Christian discipleship, where self-abasement is the path to exaltation in God's eyes.

* [Matthew 20:26-28](/matthew/20-26-28 "Matthew 20:26-28 - Servant Leadership")
* [Philippians 2:3-8](/philippians/2-3-8 "Philippians 2:3-8 - Christ's Humility")
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Opposes the Proud")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 18:2 serves as a timeless mirror reflecting our own hearts and aspirations. In a world that constantly applauds achievement, independence, and self-promotion, Jesus' teaching calls us to a radical counter-cultural path. It prompts us to examine where we seek our greatness and whether our pursuits align with kingdom values. To embrace the spirit of the child means relinquishing our need for control, acknowledging our absolute dependence on God, and approaching Him with unfeigned trust and simplicity. It challenges us to serve rather than be served, to be last rather than first, and to find our true identity and security not in what we accomplish or possess, but in our humble relationship with our Heavenly Father. This posture of humility is not weakness but the very strength that opens us to God's grace and empowers us to truly impact the world for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you find yourself seeking worldly greatness or recognition, rather than embracing humility?**
* **What specific "childlike" qualities (e.g., dependence, trust, lack of pretense) do you need to cultivate more deeply in your walk with God?**
* **How might adopting a more humble, dependent posture change your interactions with others and your approach to service within the church and community?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus choose a child, specifically, to teach about greatness?**

Answer: Jesus chose a child because, in the 1st-century Jewish culture, children held little to no social status, power, or influence. They were seen as dependents, often overlooked or dismissed. By placing a child "in the midst" of His disciples, Jesus dramatically subverted their worldly expectations of greatness, which were often tied to status, wealth, or authority. The child symbolized humility, dependence, innocence, and a lack of pretense—qualities that Jesus would immediately identify as essential for entering and being truly great in the kingdom of heaven, as elaborated in [Matthew 18:3-4](/matthew/18-3-4 "Matthew 18:3-4 - Becoming Like Children and Humility"). It was a powerful visual aid to convey a counter-cultural spiritual truth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 18:2, with Jesus placing a child in the midst of His disciples, is a profound Christ-centered moment. Jesus Himself perfectly embodies the "childlike" humility He calls His followers to embrace. Though "in the form of God," He "did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" ([Philippians 2:6-7](/philippians/2-6-7 "Philippians 2:6-7 - Christ's Humiliation")). He did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). His entire earthly ministry, from His humble birth in a manger to His death on a cross, demonstrated a complete lack of worldly ambition and a perfect dependence on the Father. He is the ultimate example of one who, though greatest, made Himself least, ultimately becoming the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Thus, the child in [Matthew 18:2](/matthew/18-2 "Matthew 18:2 - Jesus Sets a Child in Their Midst") foreshadows the very nature of Christ's kingdom, where the King Himself is the epitome of humble service and self-sacrifice, inviting all to follow His example to find true life and greatness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 19:13

¶ Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put [his] hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

Matthew 19:14

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 9:36

And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,

Mark 9:37

Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

1 Kings 3:7

And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I [am but] a little child: I know not [how] to go out or come in.

Jeremiah 1:7

But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I [am] a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.