John Gill Commentary Luke 9:48

"and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same is great." — Luke 9:48 (ASV)

And said unto them, whosoever receives this child ,
&c.] Or "one such little child", as in (Matthew 18:5) and so the Syriac version here, "a child like to this"; and the Arabic version, "one like to this child"; not in age, but in meekness and humility; one that is not proud and haughty, ambitious of worldly honour, and envious at the superior state of others: whoever receives such an one into his house and heart, and the Gospel he preaches,

in my name ;
because he belongs to me, is sent by me, and represents me, and delivers my message:

receiveth me ;
represented by him, and will be so taken:

and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth him that sent me ;
(See Gill on Mark 9:37)

For he that is least among you all ;
that is so, in his own opinion, and behaves as such in his conduct, who is lowly and meek, and humble; and so the Ethiopic version, rather interpreting than translating, renders it, "for he that makes himself humble, who is lesser than all"; who considers himself as the least of the apostles, and unworthy to be one, as did the Apostle Paul:

the same shall be great ;
shall be highly honoured with gifts, and made greatly useful, as the above mentioned apostle was: a saying like this, the Jews have ^F21 ;

``every one, (wmue Nyjqmh) , "that makes himself little", for the words of the law in this world, (lwdg hven) , "shall be made great" in the world to come;'' that is, in the days of the Messiah: and again it is said by <sup>F23</sup> them, ``worthy is he that makes himself little in this world, how great and high shall he be in that world!--whoever is little shall be great, and he that is great shall be little.''

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FOOTNOTES:

• F21: T. Bab Bava Metzia, fol. 85. 2.
• F23: Zohar in Num. for. 70. 1. & Tosaphta in Zohar in Gen. fol. 76. 2.