Matthew 18

Rank in the Kingdom

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" [Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48] 2 He called a little child and set him before them, 3 and said, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.4 Therefore, whoever *18:4 I.e. turns his back on self-righteous pride and adopts a realistic self-view.humbles himself like this child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.