John Calvin Commentary Matthew 18:2

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

And Jesus called a child to him. The general meaning is that those who desire to obtain greatness by rising above their brothers will be so far from achieving their goal that they do not even deserve to occupy the humblest place. He reasons from opposites, because it is humility alone that exalts us. As we are more powerfully affected by appearances presented to the eyes, he holds up to them a little child as a symbol of humility.

When he instructs his followers to become like a child, this does not extend indiscriminately to all points. We know that in children there are many things wrong; and accordingly Paul instructs us to be children, not in understanding, but in malice (1 Corinthians 14:20); and in another passage he exhorts us to strive to reach the state of a perfect man (Ephesians 4:13). But as children know nothing about being preferred to each other, or about competing for the highest rank, Christ desires that their example should banish from the minds of his followers those eager desires for distinction, which wicked men and the children of the world continually indulge, so that they may not be tempted by any kind of ambition.

Perhaps it will be objected that children, even from the womb, have an innate pride, which leads them to desire the highest honor and distinction; but the reply is obvious, that comparisons must not be pressed too closely or too exactly, so as to apply in every detail. The tender age of little children is distinguished by such simplicity that they are unacquainted with the degrees of honor, and with all the incentives to pride; so that Christ properly and justly presents them as an example.