Luke 9:46-48

Concerning the Greatest

9:46 Now an argument started among the disciples ¹  as to which of them might be ²  the greatest. 9:47 But when Jesus discerned their innermost thoughts, ³  he took a child, had him stand by ⁴  his side, 9:48 and said to them, “Whoever welcomes ⁵  this child ⁶  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.” ⁷ 

[9:46]  ¹ tn Grk “among them”; the referent (the disciples) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[9:46]  ² tn The use of the optative mood means the answer is not clear (BDF §§267.2.3; 385.2.2).

[9:47]  ³ tn Grk “knowing the thoughts of their hearts” (an idiom).

[9:47]  ⁴ tn On this use of παρά (para), see BDF §239.1.1.

[9:48]  ⁵ tn This verb, δέχομαι (decomai), is a term of hospitality (L&N 34.53).

[9:48]  ⁶ sn Children were very insignificant in ancient culture, so this child would be the perfect object lesson to counter the disciples’ selfish ambitions.

[9:48]  ⁷ 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.