Matthew 18:2 Meaning and Explanation
“And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus places a small child in the center of the disciples as a living lesson.
What Does Matthew 18:2 Mean?
In answer to a question about greatness, Jesus does something visual and tender. He calls a little child and sets the child in the midst of the grown men. There is no rebuke yet, only a quiet rearranging of who stands at the center of attention.
A child in that world held no rank, no power, no claim to honor. By placing the child where the disciples expected to find the greatest, Jesus overturns their whole way of measuring. The kingdom's center is not occupied by the impressive but by the lowly and dependent. Already the lesson is forming in their eyes before a single word of explanation is spoken.
Matthew 18:2 in the Original Language
paidion (παιδίον), 'little child' -- a young child, often one still small and dependent.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 18:2
What does Matthew 18:2 mean?
Jesus places a small child in the center of the disciples as a living lesson.