Mark 9 37

Mark 9:37 kjv

Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

Mark 9:37 nkjv

"Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me."

Mark 9:37 niv

"Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me."

Mark 9:37 esv

"Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me."

Mark 9:37 nlt

"Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me."

Mark 9 verses

Mark 9 37 Meaning

Mark 9:37 teaches that an act of welcoming or receiving one of these humble "little children"—who represent not just literal children but also vulnerable or humble disciples—done "in Jesus' name" is directly an act of welcoming Jesus Himself. Furthermore, to welcome Jesus is to welcome God the Father who sent Him. This verse profoundly connects radical humility and servanthood with divine identification and the very essence of God's kingdom values.

Mark 9 37 Context

Mark 9:37 immediately follows a critical teaching moment. The disciples had been arguing among themselves about "who was greatest" (Mark 9:33-34). Jesus, knowing their private debate, sat down and called them to Him, countering their worldly ambition with a profound lesson on kingdom greatness. He took a small child, stood him among them, and then embraced him, declaring that true greatness lies in humbling oneself to welcome those perceived as insignificant. This verse, Mark 9:37, climaxes that teaching, showing the divine significance of such humility and welcome. Culturally, children held little social status in ancient Jewish society, emphasizing Jesus' radical inversion of power structures. Rabbinic traditions valued scholarly and religious status, making Jesus' focus on the "little child" a polemic against status-seeking and worldly hierarchy, advocating instead for the ultimate identification with God through radical humility and servanthood.

Mark 9 37 Word analysis

• "Whoever receives" (δεξηται - dexētai): This word denotes an active welcoming, accepting, or taking to oneself. It implies hospitality, embrace, and making someone feel at home. It's not a passive acknowledgement but a warm, intentional reception.
• "one of these little children" (ἓν τῶν τοιούτων παιδίον - hen tōn toioutōn paidion): "Paidion" is a diminutive form of "pais" (child), often emphasizing smallness or endearment. Here, it refers to a literal young child. However, in the immediate context (Mark 9:33-36) and in parallel passages (e.g., Matt 18:6 "one of these little ones who believe in Me"), it expands metaphorically to include Christ's humble, dependent, and vulnerable disciples, or anyone who embodies the childlike qualities of humility and lack of worldly importance. It is a direct challenge to the disciples' pursuit of greatness.
• "in My name" (ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου - epi tō onomati mou): This phrase is highly significant. It means more than merely uttering Jesus' name. It implies acting with Jesus' authority, representing Him, for His sake or purpose, or aligning with His character and values. It signifies doing something as a Christ-follower, reflecting His mission and identity. The act of welcoming is explicitly tied to the Person of Jesus.
• "receives Me" (ἐμὲ δέχεται - eme dechetai): This establishes a direct spiritual identification. Jesus Himself is personally present and being received through the act of welcoming the "little child" or humble disciple. It implies that genuine reception of one of Christ's own is considered an act performed directly to Jesus.
• "and whoever receives Me receives not Me, but Him who sent Me" (οὐκ ἐμὲ δέχεται ἀλλὰ τὸν ἀποστείλαντά με - ouk eme dechetai alla ton aposteilanta me): This clause clarifies the ultimate source of authority and identification. Jesus is the divine Messenger, or "Sent One." By receiving Him, one ultimately receives God the Father, who is the Sender. This demonstrates the profound unity and shared mission between Jesus and the Father, underscoring that all actions done in His kingdom flow directly from God. "Him who sent Me" (aposteilanta me) highlights Jesus' divine commission and role as God's representative.

Words-group analysis

• "Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me": This establishes the profound kingdom principle of identifying with the humble. It radically inverts worldly values of status and power. Welcoming those considered weak or insignificant, when done out of genuine devotion and alignment with Christ's purposes, becomes an act of welcoming Christ Himself. It demonstrates that the essence of discipleship is self-sacrificial love and humility.
• "and whoever receives Me receives not Me, but Him who sent Me": This phrase illuminates the profound unity between Jesus and God the Father. Jesus is not an independent agent but fully represents and acts on behalf of the Father. Therefore, an encounter with Jesus—including welcoming those He identifies with—is an encounter with God. This underlines the divine authority of Jesus' mission and teaching, asserting that the values of the kingdom taught by Jesus originate from God Himself.

Mark 9 37 Bonus section

This verse carries a strong polemic against the natural human tendency toward self-promotion and hierarchy. In Jesus' kingdom, true honor is derived not from social standing or power but from self-abasement and serving those perceived as insignificant. The "little children" metaphor encapsulates the ideal spiritual state: humility, dependence, trust, and a lack of guile, contrasting sharply with the disciples' prideful argument. The seamless transition from receiving the child to receiving Jesus, then to receiving the Father, reveals the organic and profound unity within the Godhead, and between God and His genuine followers who embody these kingdom values. This truth forms the theological bedrock for all Christian service, missionary efforts, and acts of charity towards the marginalized.

Mark 9 37 Commentary

Mark 9:37 offers a revolutionary insight into the nature of God's kingdom and true greatness. Following the disciples' squabble over who would be most prominent, Jesus introduces a child, the epitome of dependence and lack of worldly status, to challenge their hierarchical thinking. The core message is that profound acts of spiritual significance are not found in seeking honor or position, but in embracing humility and service. To "receive" such a "little child" or a humble disciple means to extend welcome, care, and value to those who are often overlooked by the world. When this is done "in Jesus' name"—that is, by His authority, character, and for His glory—it transcends a simple act of human kindness. Jesus identifies Himself fully with the recipient of this humble service. Furthermore, this chain of identification extends directly to God the Father; to receive Jesus is to receive the One who commissioned Him. This passage underscores that Christ is intimately present in acts of selfless hospitality and care for the humble, making such actions ultimately a direct worship and acknowledgment of God Himself. It compels disciples to reorient their understanding of success, privilege, and spirituality, prioritizing radical humility and valuing the weak as pathways to encountering the divine.