Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 18:1

"In that hour came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" — Matthew 18:1 (ASV)

Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Mark records more fully that the disciples had disputed about this along the way. Knowing their thoughts (Luke 9:47), our Lord asked them what they had been debating, and they then became silent.

We may well believe that the promise made to Peter and the special choice of the three for closer fellowship, as in the recent Transfiguration, gave rise to these rival claims. Those who were less distinguished, perhaps, looked on this preference with jealousy. Meanwhile, within the inner circle, the ambition of the two sons of Zebedee to sit on their Lord’s right hand and on His left in His kingdom (Matthew 20:23) made them unwilling to concede the primacy of Peter.