Matthew 18:5

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

And {G2532} whoso {G3739}{G1437} shall receive {G1209} one {G1520} such {G5108} little child {G3813} in {G1909} my {G3450} name {G3686} receiveth {G1209} me {G1691}.

Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me;

And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me.

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me:

Matthew 18:5 KJV Commentary

Context

Matthew 18:5 is part of Jesus' "Discourse on the Church," delivered to His disciples in Capernaum. The preceding verses, Matthew 18:1-4, show Jesus setting a humble "little child" as the ultimate example of who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. He emphasizes the necessity of becoming like a child—embodying humility, dependence, and trust—to even enter the kingdom. This verse extends that teaching, moving from the internal quality of humility to the external act of receiving those who embody it, or those who are vulnerable.

Key Themes

  • Receiving the Humble and Vulnerable: The "little child" here symbolizes not just literal children, but also those who are humble, dependent, and perhaps marginalized or overlooked in society. Jesus elevates the act of welcoming and caring for such individuals.
  • Identification with Christ: The profound statement "receiveth me" indicates that acts of kindness and acceptance shown to these humble ones are not merely good deeds but are directly attributed to receiving Jesus Himself. This highlights Jesus' deep identification with the vulnerable. This principle is echoed in Matthew 10:40, where Jesus states that receiving His messengers is equivalent to receiving Him, and profoundly demonstrated in Matthew 25:40, where serving "the least of these" is serving Him directly.
  • Acting "In My Name": To receive "in my name" means to do so not merely as a charitable act, but with Christ's authority, character, and for His purposes. It implies recognizing the inherent value in the individual as God's creation and acting out of a desire to honor Christ.
  • Kingdom Values: This verse underscores the upside-down nature of God's kingdom, where greatness is found in humility and service, and where the most vulnerable are held in the highest regard by the King.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "in my name" (Greek: en tō onomati mou) is significant. It's more than just uttering Jesus' name; it means acting by His authority, with His character, and for His glory. To receive someone "in Jesus' name" implies that the act of reception is motivated by one's allegiance to Christ and reflects His own compassionate heart.

Reflection and Application

Matthew 18:5 calls believers to a profound posture of humility and service. It challenges us to:

  • Embrace Humility: Recognize that true greatness in God's eyes is found in humility, dependence on God, and a willingness to serve rather than be served.
  • Care for the Vulnerable: Actively seek to welcome, protect, and serve those who are often overlooked, marginalized, or seen as insignificant by the world. This includes children, the poor, the weak, and the oppressed.
  • See Christ in Others: Understand that when we minister to "one such little child" (symbolically, the humble and vulnerable), we are, in a very real sense, ministering to Jesus Himself. Our actions towards others reflect our relationship with Him.
  • Live Out Kingdom Values: Prioritize compassion, service, and humility over worldly aspirations of power, status, or self-importance.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 25:40

    And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.

  • 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.

  • Galatians 4:14

    And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, [even] as Christ Jesus.

  • John 13:20

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

  • Luke 17:1

    ¶ Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe [unto him], through whom they come!

  • Luke 17:2

    It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.

  • Luke 9:48

    And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

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