Matthew 3:2

3:2 “Repent,¹ for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Matthew 5:19-20

5:19 So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others² to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 5:20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the experts in the law³ and the Pharisees,⁴ you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 7:21

Judgment of Pretenders

7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’⁵ will enter into the kingdom of heaven – only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

Mark 10:14-15

10:14 But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.⁶ 10:15 I tell you the truth,⁷ whoever does not receive⁸ the kingdom of God like a child⁹ will never¹⁰ enter it.”

¹tn Grk “and saying, ‘Repent.’” The participle λέγων (legwn) at the beginning of v. 2 is redundant in English and has not been translated.

²tn Grk “teaches men” ( in a generic sense, people).

³tn Or “that of the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.

⁴sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.

⁴sn The double use of the vocative is normally used in situations of high emotion or emphasis. Even an emphatic confession without action means little.

⁵sn The kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Children are a picture of those whose simple trust illustrates what faith is all about. The remark illustrates how everyone is important to God, even those whom others regard as insignificant.

⁶tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

⁷sn On receive see John 1:12.

⁸sn The point of the comparison receive the kingdom of God like a child has more to do with a child’s trusting spirit and willingness to be dependent and receive from others than any inherent humility the child might possess.

⁹tn The negation in Greek (οὐ μή, ou mh) is very strong here.