Mark 9:37

9:37 “Whoever welcomes ¹  one of these little children ²  in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

John 13:20

13:20 I tell you the solemn truth, ³  whoever accepts ⁴  the one I send accepts me, and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” ⁵ 

Galatians 4:14

4:14 and though my physical condition put you to the test, you did not despise or reject me. ⁶  Instead, you welcomed me as though I were an angel of God, ⁷  as though I were Christ Jesus himself! ⁸ 

¹ tn This verb, δέχομαι (decomai), is a term of hospitality (L&N 34.53).

² sn Children were very insignificant in ancient culture, so this child would be the perfect object lesson to counter the disciples’ selfish ambitions.

³ tn Grk “Truly, truly, I say to you.”

⁴ tn Or “receives,” and so throughout this verse.

⁵ sn The one who sent me refers to God.

⁶ tn Grk “your trial in my flesh you did not despise or reject.”

⁷ tn Or “the angel of God.” Linguistically, “angel of God” is the same in both testaments (and thus, he is either “an angel of God” or “the angel of God” in both testaments). For arguments and implications, see ExSyn 252; M. J. Davidson, “Angels,” DJG, 9; W. G. MacDonald argues for “an angel” in both testaments: “Christology and ‘The Angel of the Lord’,” Current Issues in Biblical and Patristic Interpretation, 324-35.

⁸ tn Grk “as an angel of God…as Christ Jesus.” This could be understood to mean either “you welcomed me like an angel of God would,” or “you welcomed me as though I were an angel of God.” In context only the second is accurate, so the translation has been phrased to indicate this.