Matthew 18 5

Matthew 18:5 kjv

And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Matthew 18:5 nkjv

Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

Matthew 18:5 niv

And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Matthew 18:5 esv

"Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,

Matthew 18:5 nlt

"And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.

Matthew 18 verses

Matthew 18 5 Meaning

Matthew 18:5 declares that whoever welcomes, provides for, or accepts a humble follower of Christ—symbolized by a child, specifically for the sake of or by the authority of Jesus—is in essence welcoming Jesus Himself. This verse underscores Jesus' profound identification with His vulnerable, humble disciples, indicating that acts of compassion and acceptance towards them are directed towards Him personally. It elevates the seemingly insignificant in the eyes of the world, positioning their care as an act of receiving the Lord.

Matthew 18 5 Context

Matthew 18:5 is situated at the beginning of Jesus’ "Discourse on the Church," often called the Discourse on Humility and Forgiveness. It directly follows the disciples’ ambitious question in Matt 18:1: "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Jesus counters their worldly hierarchy by calling a little child to Himself (Matt 18:2) and declaring that one must humble oneself like this child to even enter the kingdom, let alone be greatest (Matt 18:3-4). Verse 5 then serves as a profound extension and application of this principle of humility. It not only sets forth a new criterion for greatness—humble receptivity—but also elevates the status of children and those who embody childlike humility, affirming that showing hospitality to such a "little one" (symbolizing a humble disciple or a person who represents the vulnerability and trust of a child) is tantamount to showing hospitality to Christ Himself. This teaching directly challenges contemporary Jewish societal norms which often afforded little status or value to children, contrasting it with the immense spiritual significance Jesus places upon them and those like them.

Matthew 18 5 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A connective particle, linking this statement directly to the preceding discussion about humility and becoming like a child, showing it is a consequence or continuation of that teaching.
• whoever (ὅστις δὲ - hostis de): This emphatic relative pronoun signifies "anyone who," stressing inclusivity and universality. The addition of de (but/and) serves as a slight shift, highlighting the subject. It refers to an individual acting, not a collective.
• receives (προσδέξηται - prosdechētai): This verb means "to receive to oneself," "to welcome," "to entertain," or "to accept." It implies not just passive acceptance, but an active, hospitable welcoming. It suggests open arms and an embracing attitude, a conscious decision to welcome another.
• one such (ἓν τοιοῦτον - hen toiouton):
  • one (ἓν - hen): The singular emphasizes the focus on an individual, highlighting the importance of even a single act of kindness or welcome.
  • such (τοιοῦτον - toiouton): This pronoun points back to the immediate context of the preceding verses (Matt 18:3-4), specifically the paidion (child) that Jesus set before them as an example of humility. Thus, it refers to a person characterized by the humility, dependence, and openness of a child. This can mean a literal child, or more broadly, a disciple who has adopted the child-like qualities of humility and trust, or any person of low status who lacks worldly power.
• child (παιδίον - paidion): A diminutive form of "child," often referring to a young child, infant, or little child. In this context, it refers to a literal child as an illustration, but also metaphorically to those who are humble, dependent, vulnerable, and trusting, characteristic of true disciples of Christ. Children had low status in ancient societies, making Jesus' focus on them radically counter-cultural.
• in my name (ἐν τῷ ὀνόματί μου - en tō onomati mou): This is a pivotal phrase that signifies much more than merely uttering "in Jesus' name." It means:
  • By the authority of Jesus: Acting as Jesus’ representative.
  • For the sake of Jesus: The motivation is devotion and love for Christ.
  • In union with Jesus: Acting according to His will and character, with His power.
  • As belonging to Jesus: Recognizing the person being received as one of His own.
  • This phrase spiritualizes and empowers the act, linking the human action directly to divine purpose and presence. It means that the recipient is seen as embodying Christ or being a representative of Him.
• receives me (ἐμὲ δέχεται - eme dechetai):
  • receives (δέχεται - dechetai): A slightly different Greek word than prosdechētai used earlier, dechetai (from dechomai) means to "receive," "take," or "accept." While similar in meaning, the shift can sometimes imply receiving into one's company or possession, emphasizing the welcoming embrace.
  • me (ἐμὲ - eme): The emphatic personal pronoun "me," placing direct emphasis on Jesus Christ Himself. This makes the identification absolute and profound. There is no separation between caring for the humble ones and caring for Jesus. This connection signifies Christ’s personal identification with and valuing of His "little ones."

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And whoever receives one such child": This highlights the universal call to humble hospitality. It implies a conscious act of embracing and welcoming those who, like children, are considered vulnerable, insignificant, or powerless in the world, or who represent the humility characteristic of kingdom living.
• "in my name": This transformative qualifier elevates the act from mere human benevolence to a sacred deed. It is not just welcoming a child out of general goodwill, but doing so specifically because the child represents Christ, or the act is done as a demonstration of allegiance to Christ and His values. This denotes a divine purpose and motivation.
• "receives me": This is the core revelation. Jesus personally identifies with His humble followers. When a person receives or welcomes a genuine believer, especially one who embraces humility, or a literal child with the attitude Jesus commends, that individual is extending a welcome to Christ Himself. This underscores the profound value Jesus places on His "little ones" and the serious implications of how they are treated.

Matthew 18 5 Bonus section

• Reversal of Values: This verse showcases a profound reversal of worldly values. In a culture that typically valued adults, status, and power, Jesus elevates children (and by extension, the humble) as figures through whom one encounters the Divine. This is revolutionary.
• Ethical Foundation: It lays an ethical foundation for Christian conduct: the measure of our love for Christ is directly observable in how we treat the "least of these." It moves Christianity from a purely abstract belief system to one that demands concrete, compassionate action.
• Inclusive Love: "Such a child" is not exclusive; it encompasses anyone embodying the Spirit of Christ's humility, be they vulnerable new converts, the poor, the marginalized, or simply those who have abandoned worldly pretensions. The command extends to universal, inclusive love for all who might be seen as "small" or unimportant in the world.
• Spiritual Realism: Jesus is not speaking hypothetically. He conveys a deep spiritual realism: His presence truly indwells His people, and acts performed for them are indeed acts performed for Him. This provides immense encouragement for those who serve the overlooked and a sobering warning for those who might neglect them.

Matthew 18 5 Commentary

Matthew 18:5 is a profound declaration by Jesus that underscores the nature of His kingdom and His radical values. It is a direct continuation of His lesson on humility, asserting that the way one treats a humble, vulnerable individual—epitomized by a child, or any follower who adopts a childlike trust and lowliness—reflects their treatment of Christ Himself. The phrase "in my name" is crucial; it elevates the act of welcome from a simple human kindness to a spiritual act of obedience and worship. It means welcoming a person because they belong to Christ, represent His values, or are an extension of His mission. This verse challenges any worldly pursuit of status or greatness, asserting that true honor and connection with Christ are found in humble service and unconditional acceptance of those considered lowly by society. It implies that genuine love for Christ manifests in genuine care for His disciples, particularly those who are easily overlooked or marginalized.