A.T. Robertson Commentary Mark 9:37

"Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me." — Mark 9:37 (ASV)

One of such little children (εν των τοιουτων παιδιων). Matthew 18:5 has "one such little child" and Lu 9:48 "this little child." It was an object lesson to the arrogant conceit of the twelve apostles contending for primacy. They did not learn this lesson for they will again wrangle over primacy (Matthew 20:20–28) and they will be unable to comprehend easily what the attitude of Jesus was toward children (Matthew 19:13–15; Luke 8:15–17). The child was used as a rebuke to the apostles.