Matthew 18:3 Meaning and Explanation
“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Context of Matthew 18:3
Jesus speaks this in response to the disciples' question about who is greatest in the kingdom, redefining greatness through the image of a child.
What Does Matthew 18:3 Mean?
Jesus declares that entering the kingdom of heaven requires becoming like a little child. The disciples had been arguing about who would be greatest, and Jesus answers by setting a child before them and overturning their measure of greatness. To "be converted" means to turn, a reorientation of the whole self away from the grasping for status the disciples had displayed. To "become as little children" points to the qualities a child naturally embodies: humility, dependence, trust, and a lack of pretension. A small child receives a place in the family rather than earning it, and simply trusts rather than boasting of rank. Jesus says this childlike posture is the very door into the kingdom. The contrast with the disciples' ambition is sharp. The kingdom welcomes those who come humbly, ready to depend on God rather than on their own standing, never the proud and self-important. This is a call to lay down the adult instinct to compete and prove ourselves, and to receive God's kingdom with the open, trusting heart of a child.
Matthew 18:3 in the Original Language
The Greek strepho ("be converted") means to turn around; paidion refers to a young child, evoking humble dependence.
Bible Verses Related to Matthew 18:3
“Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.”
- Mark 10:15
“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
- Matthew 18:4
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”
- 1 Peter 2:2
How to Apply Matthew 18:3 Today
Lay down the instinct to compete and prove yourself, and come to God with the humble, trusting heart of a child.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 18:3
What does Matthew 18:3 mean?
Jesus declares that entering the kingdom of heaven requires becoming like a little child. The disciples had been arguing about who would be greatest, and Jesus answers by setting a child before them and overturning their measure of greatness. To "be converted" means to turn, a reorientation of the whole self away from the grasping for status the disciples had displayed. To "become as little children" points to the qualities a child naturally embodies: humility, dependence, trust, and a lack of pretension. A small child receives a place in the family rather than earning it, and simply trusts rather than boasting of rank. Jesus says this childlike posture is the very door into the kingdom. The contrast with the disciples' ambition is sharp. The kingdom welcomes those who come humbly, ready to depend on God rather than on their own standing, never the proud and self-important. This is a call to lay down the adult instinct to compete and prove ourselves, and to receive God's kingdom with the open, trusting heart of a child.
What is the context of Matthew 18:3?
Jesus speaks this in response to the disciples' question about who is greatest in the kingdom, redefining greatness through the image of a child.
How can I apply Matthew 18:3 today?
Lay down the instinct to compete and prove yourself, and come to God with the humble, trusting heart of a child.