Luke 9 48

Luke 9:48 kjv

And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this 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 shall be great.

Luke 9:48 nkjv

and said to them, "Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great."

Luke 9:48 niv

Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest."

Luke 9:48 esv

and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great."

Luke 9:48 nlt

Then he said to them, "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest."

Luke 9 verses

Luke 9 48 Meaning

Luke 9:48 conveys a profound teaching on humility, service, and true greatness within the Kingdom of God. Jesus establishes an identification chain: to welcome and serve a vulnerable "little child" in His authority and according to His character is to welcome Him; and to welcome Him is to welcome God the Father who sent Him. The verse culminates by declaring that genuine greatness is found in embracing the lowliest position and serving with a humble spirit, a direct inversion of worldly values where disciples were debating who would be the greatest.

Luke 9 48 Context

Luke 9:48 is part of Jesus' response to the disciples' private dispute about who among them was the greatest (Luke 9:46). This argument occurs shortly after Jesus has predicted His suffering and death (Luke 9:44-45), indicating a profound disconnect between their worldly aspirations and His heavenly mission. To address their pride and ambition, Jesus takes a little child, sets him by Himself (Luke 9:47), and uses him as a living parable. Culturally, children in this period held a low social status; they had no rights, no property, and little to no voice. By exalting a child as the model for "greatness," Jesus directly confronts and polemically inverts the contemporary hierarchical societal values that esteemed power, status, and recognition. His teaching highlights a central paradox of His Kingdom: the way up is down.

Luke 9 48 Word analysis

• Then He said to them: Immediately connects the verse to the disciples' dispute about "who among them would be the greatest" (Lk 9:46). Jesus directly addresses their internal spiritual condition.
• Whoever receives: Greek dechomai (δέχομαι), which means "to take, welcome, accept hospitably." It implies more than just letting someone approach; it is an active, open embrace of their presence, needs, and significance. It's about an inward disposition of welcoming and affirming.
• this little child: Greek paidion (παιδίον), a diminutive form of pais (child). It emphasizes the smallness and vulnerability of the child. In a society that valued age, status, and power, children represented dependence, powerlessness, and lack of social standing. Jesus uses the child not for its innocence necessarily, but for its low status.
• in My name: This phrase (Greek epi tō onomati mou) signifies acting by Jesus' authority, representing His character, and being aligned with His purposes and values. It is not merely a formality but reflects the inner heart posture that is consistent with Jesus' teachings.
• receives Me: This establishes a direct identification. Serving and valuing the one society deems least is equated with serving and valuing Jesus Himself. This is a profound statement of empathy and divine solidarity with the humble.
• and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me: Extends the identification further up the divine chain of authority to God the Father. This means that an act of humble service to a vulnerable one, performed in Jesus' name, reaches all the way to God Himself. It underscores the divine backing and eternal significance of such actions.
• For he who is least: Greek elachistos (ἐλάχιστος), the superlative of mikros (small). It literally means "smallest" or "lowliest." This refers to one who voluntarily takes a position of humility, or one whom society views as insignificant. It is an inversion of the disciples' concern for greatness.
• among you all: Refers specifically to the disciples and implies a challenge to their own internal hierarchy and aspirations. The standard for greatness in the Kingdom is distinct from worldly standards.
• will be great: Greek megas (μέγας), meaning "large" or "significant." This is the ultimate paradox. The path to true significance and exaltation in God's eyes is precisely through humility, lowliness, and service. It is not a call to become literally small in size, but to adopt a servant-hearted, self-emptying posture.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "receives this little child in My name receives Me": This is the heart of the "proxy reception" doctrine. Jesus identifies directly with those on the margins, particularly the humble and vulnerable, and extends His identity to anyone who compassionately embraces them.
  • "whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me": This establishes a divine chain of reception. It connects the disciple's interaction with the vulnerable child to a direct encounter with God the Father, underscoring the deep theological significance of selfless service.
  • "For he who is least among you all will be great": This phrase functions as a concise summary and justification for the preceding statements, highlighting the radical kingdom principle that humbles earthly ambitions and exalts servant leadership and humility.

Luke 9 48 Bonus section

The theological chain established in Luke 9:48 – Child -> Jesus -> Father – illustrates a fundamental principle of Christian mission and ethics: God reveals Himself and is encountered not only in grand, powerful displays but significantly in the quiet acts of compassion toward the most humble and overlooked. This highlights that active engagement with the vulnerable is not merely good social work but a profound spiritual experience that reflects and glorifies the Father. The paradox of the "least" being "great" is a direct polemic against the natural human inclination towards hierarchy and self-exaltation. It demands a re-calibration of all worldly systems of value. The disciples' debate reflects a persistent human struggle within faith communities: how to reconcile the call to humility and service with aspirations for significance and impact. Jesus offers the definitive answer by linking divine reception to radical humility.

Luke 9 48 Commentary

Luke 9:48 serves as a pivotal counter-cultural declaration, immediately following the disciples' argument about status. Jesus uses the image of a vulnerable child not just as a symbol of innocence, but as a representation of low social standing and utter dependence, characteristics antithetical to their concept of greatness. "Receiving" such a one "in His name" is a deeply spiritual act of allegiance to Jesus' upside-down Kingdom values, aligning with His character of servanthood and sacrifice. This act becomes a profound encounter with Christ Himself, and, remarkably, with God the Father who sent Him. The core message is clear: true greatness in God's eyes is not found in power, prestige, or ambition, but in willingly embracing humility, serving the overlooked, and emptying oneself in self-sacrificial love, just as Christ did. This challenges believers to continually re-evaluate their own motives and to measure worth and success by God's radical standards, not the world's. It inspires acts of kindness, hospitality, and care towards the most vulnerable, transforming them into acts of worship and obedience.