Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 18:2-3

"And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven." — Matthew 18:2-3 (ASV)

Except you be converted. The word "converted" means changed, or turned. It means to change or turn from one habit of life, or set of opinions, to another (James 5:19; Luke 22:32). See also Matthew 7:6; Matthew 16:23; Luke 7:9, and elsewhere, where the same word is used in the original.

It is sometimes referred to that great change called the new birth, or regeneration (Psalms 51:13; Isaiah 9:5; Acts 3:19), but not always. It is a general word, meaning any change. The word regeneration denotes a particular change—the passing from death to life. The phrase "except you be converted" does not necessarily imply that they were not Christians before, or had not been born again.

It means that their opinions and feelings about the kingdom of the Messiah must be changed. They had supposed that he was to be a temporal Prince. They expected that he would reign as other kings did. They supposed he would have his great officers of state, as other monarchs had.

And they were ambitiously inquiring who should hold the highest offices. Jesus told them they were wrong in their views and expectations. No such things would take place. From these notions they must be turned, changed, or converted, or they could have no part in his kingdom. These ideas did not fit at all the nature of his kingdom.

And become as little children. Children are, to a great extent, destitute of ambition, pride, and haughtiness. They are characteristically humble and teachable. By requiring his disciples to be like them, he did not intend to express any opinion about the native moral character of children, but simply that in these respects they should become like them.

They should lay aside their ambitious views, and pride, and be willing to occupy their proper station—a very lowly one. Mark 9:35 says that Jesus, before he placed the little child in the midst of them, told them that if any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. That is, he shall be the most distinguished Christian who is the most humble, and who is willing to be esteemed least, and last of all. To esteem ourselves as God esteems us, is humility. And it cannot be degrading to think of ourselves as we are. But pride, or an attempt to be thought of more importance than we are, is foolish, wicked, and degrading.