Devine Scripture

Matthew 18:3

What does Matthew 18:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 18:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 18:3 means

Jesus declared with absolute certainty that entry into the Kingdom of Heaven hinges on a profound change of heart, a turning that makes one like a little child. This transformation involves abandoning self-sufficiency, pride, and worldly ambition, embracing instead the humility, trust, and dependence characteristic of a child. Without this fundamental shift in attitude and disposition, marked by a simple, unadulterated faith, one cannot even enter God's redemptive reign, let alone be 'great' within it. It's a complete reorientation of values.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And said, Truly, I say to you, If you do not have a change of heart and become like little children, you will not go into the kingdom of heaven.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and said, `Verily I say to you, if ye may not be turned and become as the children, ye may not enter into the reign of the heavens;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And said: amen I say to you, unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and said, Verily I say to you, Unless ye are converted and become as little children, ye will not at all enter into the kingdom of the heavens.

Context

This verse continues Jesus' response to the disciples' question about greatness, building on His action of calling a child. It provides the spiritual explanation for the visual aid, clarifying that childlike humility is not just a desirable trait but a prerequisite for entering the Kingdom. This foundational statement then naturally leads into a clarification of what true greatness actually entails in verse 4.

v.2And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them,

v.3This passage

v.4Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 19:23

    And Jesus said unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, It is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.

  • Isaiah 6:10

    Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn again, and be healed.

  • 1 Peter 2:2

    as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation;

  • Matthew 5:18

    For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished.

  • Acts 3:19

    Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord;

  • Luke 22:32

    but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not; and do thou, when once thou hast turned again, establish thy brethren.

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