IVP New Testament Commentary Series – Kingdom Status May Be Inverse to Worldly Status (18:1-4)
Resources chevron-right IVP New Testament Commentary Series chevron-right Matthew chevron-right RELATIONSHIPS IN THE KINGDOM (18:1-35) chevron-right Serving the Little Ones (18:1-14) chevron-right The Greatest Is the Child (18:1-5) chevron-right Kingdom Status May Be Inverse to Worldly Status (18:1-4)
Kingdom Status May Be Inverse to Worldly Status (18:1-4)

Ancient moralists regularly trotted forth models of heroes and statesmen for their students to imitate; Jesus instead points to a child. More so then than today, children were powerless, without status and utterly dependent on their parents (Harrington 1982:74). Yet we must imitate such people of no status, people who recognize their dependence (compare France 1985:270). To "turn" (NIV change) reflects the Jewish concept of repentance (as in Jer 34:15); compare John 3:3, 5.

Bible Gateway Recommends

Luke: Tyndale New Testament Commentary [TNTC]
Luke: Tyndale New Testament Commentary [TNTC]
Retail: $34.99
Our Price: $20.09
Save: $14.90 (43%)
The Letters of John: Tyndale New Testament Commentary [TNTC]
The Letters of John: Tyndale New Testament Commentary [TNTC]
Retail: $26.99
Our Price: $15.43
Save: $11.56 (43%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
The Message of Deuteronomy
The Message of Deuteronomy
Retail: $31.99
Our Price: $24.92
Save: $7.07 (22%)
2 Corinthians: A Commentary on the New Testament
2 Corinthians: A Commentary on the New Testament
Retail: $34.99
Our Price: $24.99
Save: $10.00 (29%)
The Message of James - eBook
The Message of James - eBook
Retail: $19.99
Our Price: $11.43
Save: $8.56 (43%)
Mark: IVP New Testament Commentary [IVPNTC] -eBook
Mark: IVP New Testament Commentary [IVPNTC] -eBook
Retail: $14.99
Our Price: $9.69
Save: $5.30 (35%)
4.0 of 5.0 stars