Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 18:4

"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." — Matthew 18:4 (ASV)

Jesus responds by warning his disciples that they must turn from their present conduct and attitudes and “become like little children”; for unless they do, they will “never enter the kingdom of heaven” (the consummated kingdom is in view here). The child is held up as an ideal, not of innocence, purity, or faith, but of humility and unconcern for social status. Jesus advocates humility of mind (v.4), not childishness of thought (cf. 10:16). With such humility comes childlike trust. The person who truly “humbles himself [GK 5427] like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”: the expression completes a link with v.1. The thought is not far removed from 5:3 and vitiates any thought that the kingdom can be gained by personal merit or violent force . It is to “little children” (GK 4086) that the Lord of heaven and earth reveals his truth (cf. 11:25).