9:33 Then 1 they came to Capernaum. 2 After Jesus 3 was inside the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 9:34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 9:35 After he sat down, he called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 9:36 He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 9:37 “Whoever welcomes 4 one of these little children 5 in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
2 map For location see Map1-D2; Map2-C3; Map3-B2.
3 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
4 tn This verb, δέχομαι (decomai), is a term of hospitality (L&N 34.53).
5 sn Children were very insignificant in ancient culture, so this child would be the perfect object lesson to counter the disciples’ selfish ambitions.