Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

To illustrate the principle in v.35, Jesus took a child, perhaps one from the family in whose house he was teaching, and first stood him by his side. Then Jesus took him into his arms (cf. 10:16). While all were watching, he indicated that true greatness entails caring about people—seemingly insignificant people like children—because Jesus himself was concerned about them. When one cares about such people, one is really “receiving” Jesus and God himself.