Matthew 18 3

Matthew 18:3 kjv

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.

Matthew 18:3 nkjv

and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:3 niv

And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:3 esv

and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:3 nlt

Then he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 18 verses

Matthew 18 3 Meaning

Matthew 18:3 conveys Jesus' foundational truth regarding entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. He states that a spiritual conversion, marked by a transformation of attitude to that of a humble, trusting, and dependent little child, is absolutely essential. This is not about reverting to immaturity, but shedding worldly ambition, pride, and self-reliance, and instead embracing dependence on God and humility before Him and others. Without this radical internal shift, participation in God's reign is impossible.

Matthew 18 3 Context

Matthew 18:3 is Jesus' profound answer to a question posed by His disciples in the preceding verse, Matthew 18:1: "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" This query arose from a common human desire for status and importance, which even permeated Jesus' closest followers. In the cultural context of the first century, greatness was typically measured by wealth, social standing, political power, or religious authority (like the scribes and Pharisees). Children, however, held a low status; they were dependents without rights, influence, or power, primarily seen as recipients of care rather than contributors of status. Jesus radically reverses this conventional understanding by identifying the traits of a child – humility, dependence, lack of ambition, and trust – as the very essence for entering God's reign and, consequently, achieving true greatness within it.

Matthew 18 3 Word analysis

• And said: Jesus' direct and authoritative teaching. This declaration immediately follows the disciples' query, positioning it as a foundational response.
• Verily (Ἀμὴν - Amēn): A strong affirmation, meaning "truly," "certainly," or "it is so." Used by Jesus, it underscores the absolute truth and solemnity of what He is about to say, emphasizing its importance and binding nature. It demands unwavering attention and acceptance.
• I say unto you: A direct, personal address by Jesus, signifying His unique authority as the Christ, distinct from traditional rabbinic teaching that relied on citing previous authorities.
• Except (ἐὰν μή - ean mē): Introduces a condition of exclusion, implying a strict requirement. Without meeting this condition, the stated consequence (not entering the Kingdom) is unavoidable.
• ye be converted (στραφῆτε - straphetē): Derived from the Greek verb strephō, meaning "to turn," "turn around," "turn back," or "to be converted." This is a passive form, suggesting an action God performs upon a responsive individual, but also implies human willingness to turn. It signifies a radical, inward reorientation from a self-centered, worldly perspective to a God-centered one, often associated with repentance and new birth. It implies a moral and spiritual turning from sin and towards righteousness.
• and become (γένεσθε - genes the): From ginomai, meaning "to come into being," "to become." It emphasizes a transformation, a change in state or nature. It is an ongoing state, not a one-time event, representing a lived identity.
• as little children (ὡς τὰ παιδία - hōs ta paidia): paidion refers to a young child, infant, or tender child. The emphasis is on specific qualities of a child, not immaturity or foolishness. These qualities include humility (lack of pride/ambition), dependence (recognizing need for external help), teachability (openness to instruction), innocence (freedom from malice/guile), and simple trust. It contrasts sharply with adult self-sufficiency, social climbing, and sophisticated skepticism.
• ye shall not enter (οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε - ou mē eiselthēte): A double negative (ou mē) in Greek, which strongly reinforces the impossibility of an action. It signifies an absolute prohibition and impossibility.
• into the kingdom of heaven (εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν - eis tēn basileian tōn ouranōn): The active rule or reign of God. This refers both to God's present spiritual dominion that Jesus inaugurates, and to its future, full manifestation. Entrance implies participation in and submission to this divine rule, a relationship with God as King. It's the sphere where God's will is perfectly done, and where His blessings are found.

Words-group analysis

• Verily I say unto you: A solemn, authoritative declaration from Jesus, highlighting the non-negotiable nature of the truth about to be revealed.
• Except ye be converted, and become as little children: This phrase sets up the conditional prerequisite for spiritual entrance. "Converted" implies an internal, radical change of heart and mind, while "become as little children" defines the nature of that transformation – abandoning pride and self-sufficiency for humility and dependent trust. It's not about being naive, but about a spiritual posture that is open, trusting, and not seeking personal advantage.
• ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven: This is the unequivocal consequence of failing the prerequisite. It means exclusion from God's saving reign, both in its present spiritual reality and its future consummation. It underscores the severity and exclusivity of Jesus' teaching on discipleship.

Matthew 18 3 Bonus section

The passage begins with the disciples arguing about who among them is the "greatest." This worldly mindset, prevalent even among those closest to Jesus, is what Jesus directly challenges. His teaching is a strong indirect polemic against the hierarchical, status-driven societal and religious structures of His day (and ours), which valued external display and position over internal character and humility. The teaching on becoming like a child serves as the absolute gate to the Kingdom; greatness within the Kingdom (Matt 18:4) then follows from maintaining that childlike humility. This verse also implicitly condemns spiritual arrogance and self-righteousness, warning that such attitudes block the way to God.

Matthew 18 3 Commentary

Matthew 18:3 encapsulates Jesus' radical redefinition of greatness and entry into His Kingdom. When His disciples asked who was greatest, Jesus' response subverted every cultural norm. He did not point to a learned scholar, a powerful leader, or a wealthy patron, but a humble child. The call to be "converted" signifies a complete spiritual about-face – a metanoia – turning from pride, self-reliance, and worldly ambitions that lead to self-aggrandizement, toward humility and dependence on God. To "become as little children" does not advocate childishness (immaturity or naivety), but childlike qualities: genuine humility, utter dependence, eager teachability, and a lack of guile or pretension. Children typically do not strive for status; they simply trust and receive. This profound simplicity and humble receptivity are indispensable for entering God's Kingdom, which functions on entirely different principles than the world. Without this fundamental inner change, participation in God's saving rule remains impossible. It highlights that the Kingdom is given by grace and received through faith, not earned by merit or status.