Matthew 18:1-9

Lexham English Bible

The Question About Who Is Greatest

18 At that time the disciples came up to Jesus, saying, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ² And calling a child to himself, he had him stand in their midst ³ and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you turn around and become like young children, you will never enter into the kingdom of heaven! ⁴ Therefore whoever humbles himself like this child, this person is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, ⁵ and whoever welcomes one child such as this in my name welcomes me. ⁶ But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him that a large millstone^[a] be hung on^[b] his neck and he be drowned in the depths of the sea. ⁷ Woe to the world because of causes for stumbling, for it is a necessity that causes for stumbling come; nevertheless, woe to the person through whom the cause for stumbling comes. ⁸ And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it^[c] from you! It is better for you to enter into life crippled or lame than, having two hands or two feet, to be thrown into the eternal fire! ⁹ And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it^[d] from you! It is better for you to enter into life one-eyed than, having two eyes, to be thrown into fiery hell!