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 others ²  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 law ³  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 receive ⁸  the kingdom of God like a child ⁹  will never ¹⁰  enter it.”

[3:2]  ¹ tn Grk “and saying, ‘Repent.’” The participle λέγων (legwn) at the beginning of v. 2 is redundant in English and has not been translated.

[5:19]  ² tn Grk “teaches men” ( in a generic sense, people).

[5:20]  ³ tn Or “that of the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.

[5:20]  ⁴ sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.

[7:21]  ⁵ sn The double use of the vocative is normally used in situations of high emotion or emphasis. Even an emphatic confession without action means little.

[10:14]  ⁶ sn 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.

[10:15]  ⁷ tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

[10:15]  ⁸ sn On receive see John 1:12.

[10:15]  ⁹ sn 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.

[10:15]  ¹⁰ tn The negation in Greek (οὐ μή, ou mh) is very strong here.