The phrase these little ones
(Matthew 18:6) means not only the children (Matthew 18:2; Matthew 19:14), but also all who believe in him (Matthew 18:3–4; Matthew 10:42; Matthew 11:25; Matthew 25:25, Matthew 25:40). The expression believe in
(pisteuein eis) appears nowhere else in Matthew’s Gospel. It stresses the confidence with which the children of God entrust themselves to Jesus. Just as the child did not keep his distance when Jesus called him (Matthew 18:2), so God’s children allow themselves to be called by Jesus, trusting him as their guide.
Many in Galilee who did not become disciples still showed their faith and trust by coming to Jesus for healing and instruction (Matthew 8:10–13; Matthew 9:2, Matthew 9:22, Matthew 9:28–29; Matthew 15:28). The disciples would not have thought of these people when they asked who the greatest in the kingdom of heaven would be, but Jesus teaches them to look back at the flock: at all who trust in him. These little ones
are not all who left everything to follow Jesus, nor did he send them out as his apostles, yet he kept them in his care and love. He had, after all, specifically sent the disciples to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 9:35–38; Matthew 10:6–10).
Jesus speaks of the kingdom’s true, believing citizens, who, laying aside pride, are like children: not those who are small in faith, but those who are small and believe, showing how faith brings true humility.
With the phrase these little ones,
mentioned in Matthew 18:6, Jesus is referring not only to the children (see Matthew 18:2 and Matthew 19:14) but also to all who believe in him (Matthew 18:3–4; Matthew 10:42; Matthew 11:25; Matthew 25:25,Matthew 25:40).1
The expression believe in
(pisteuein eis) does not appear elsewhere in Matthew’s Gospel. The emphasis therefore lies on the confidence with which the children of God entrust themselves to Jesus. Just as the child did not suspiciously keep his distance when Jesus called him (Matthew 18:2), so these little ones do not remain cautiously apart but allow themselves to be called by Jesus, trusting that he is their greater and good guide.
There were many in Galilee who did not become disciples, yet who, in faith, showed their trust by coming to Jesus for healing and instruction (see for example Matthew 8:10–13; Matthew 9:2, Matthew 9:22, Matthew 9:28–29; Matthew 15:28). The disciples most certainly would not have thought of these people when they inquired who the greatest in the kingdom of heaven would be. Yet now Jesus teaches them to look back at the flock—at all who trust in him. These little ones
are not people who left everything to follow Jesus, nor did he send them out as his apostles, yet he keeps them in his care and love. He had, after all, specifically sent the disciples to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 9:35–38; Matthew 10:6–10).2
There was only one child present when Jesus made this reference, but many apostles. Jesus here speaks about the true, believing citizens of the kingdom—those who have laid aside pride and have become like children. Thus, not those who are small in faith are meant, but those who are small and believe. Perhaps we may even say that faith leads to true humility.3
6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.