Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 9:47

"But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their heart, he took a little child, and set him by his side," — Luke 9:47 (ASV)

This passage naturally follows the preceding two verses. The disciples did not understand Jesus’ role as the Suffering Servant and so could not grasp its implications for them as his disciples. They were still thinking of the Messiah only in terms of triumph, assuming, quite naturally, that their position was important. The issue was not whether there would be rank in the kingdom but the nature and qualifications of such rank (v.46). Jesus’ reference to the “little child” refers to receiving for the sake of Christ a person who has no status. This is consistent with Jesus’ (and Luke’s) concern for neglected people. The meaning, then, is that instead of seeking status for ourselves (out of pride as an associate of the Messiah), we Christians should, as Jesus did, identify ourselves with those who have no status at all, welcoming them to join us in the kingdom. By ministering to a child one ministers, without realizing it, to Christ himself.