Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 18:2

"And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them," — Matthew 18:2 (ASV)

This fourth discourse, like the previous three, is bracketed by remarks suggesting that it was delivered on the occasion specified (7:28–29). When Jesus speaks again of his suffering and death, the disciples’ grief (17:23) proves short-lived; and they busy themselves with arguing about who is greatest in the kingdom. Jesus has already said that there will be distinctions in the kingdom (5:19); and recently three of them have been specially favored (17:1–3), while Peter has been repeatedly singled out (14:28– 29; 15:15; 16:16–18). Perhaps these things set off the dispute, which continues in the ambition of James, John, and their mother in the period right before the Cross (20:20–23) and which embraces the jealousy of the other ten (20:24).

Substantial misunderstanding of Jesus by his disciples is presupposed throughout Jesus’ entire earthly ministry.