Luke 9:46-48

Concerning the Greatest

9:46 Now an argument started among the disciples as to which of them might be the greatest. 9:47 But when Jesus discerned their innermost thoughts, he took a child, had him stand by his side, 9:48 and said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me, for the one who is least among you all is the one who is great.”


tn Grk “among them”; the referent (the disciples) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

tn The use of the optative mood means the answer is not clear (BDF §§267.2.3; 385.2.2).

tn Grk “knowing the thoughts of their hearts” (an idiom).

tn On this use of παρά (para), see BDF §239.1.1.

tn This verb, δέχομαι (decomai), is a term of hospitality (L&N 34.53).

sn Children were very insignificant in ancient culture, so this child would be the perfect object lesson to counter the disciples’ selfish ambitions.

tn Grk “among you all, this one is great.” The absence of a comparative term here makes the point that comparison should not be done.