Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” New Living Translation Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.” English Standard Version and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.” Berean Standard Bible And He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me. For whoever is the least among all of you, he is the greatest.” Berean Literal Bible and He said to them, “Whoever shall receive this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever shall receive Me receives the One having sent Me. For the one being least among you⁺ all, he is great.” King James Bible And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. New King James Version and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.” New American Standard Bible and He said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.” NASB 1995 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.” NASB 1977 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for he who is least among you, this is the one who is great.” Legacy Standard Bible and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.” Amplified Bible and He told them, “Whoever welcomes this child in My name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me [also] welcomes Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you [that is, the one who is genuinely humble—the one with a realistic self-view]—he is the one who is [truly] great.” Berean Annotated Bible And He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me. For whoever is the least among all of you⁺, he is the greatest. Christian Standard Bible He told them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me welcomes him who sent me. For whoever is least among you—this one is great.” Holman Christian Standard Bible He told them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me. And whoever welcomes Me welcomes Him who sent Me. For whoever is least among you—this one is great.” American Standard Version and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same is great. Contemporary English Version Then he said to his disciples, "When you welcome even a child because of me, you welcome me. And when you welcome me, you welcome the one who sent me. Whichever one of you is the most humble is the greatest." English Revised Version and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same is great. GOD'S WORD® Translation Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me. Whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. The one who is least among all of you is the one who is greatest." Good News Translation and said to them, "Whoever welcomes this child in my name, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, also welcomes the one who sent me. For the one who is least among you all is the greatest." International Standard Version Then he told them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me, because the one who is least among all of you is the one who is greatest." NET Bible and said to them, "Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me, for the one who is least among you all is the one who is great." New Heart English Bible and said to them, "Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me. Whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For whoever is least among you all, this one is great." Webster's Bible Translation And said to them, Whoever shall receive this child in my name, receiveth me; and whoever shall receive me, receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. Weymouth New Testament and said to them, "Whoever for my sake receives this little child, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives Him who sent me. For the lowliest among you all--he is the greatest." Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me. For whoever is the least among all of you, he will be the greatest.” World English Bible and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me. Whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For whoever is least among you all, this one will be great.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand said to them, “Whoever may receive this child in My Name, receives Me, and whoever may receive Me, receives Him who sent Me, for he who is least among you all—he will be great.” Berean Literal Bible and He said to them, “Whoever shall receive this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever shall receive Me receives the One having sent Me. For the one being least among you⁺ all, he is great.” Young's Literal Translation and said to them, 'Whoever may receive this child in my name, doth receive me, and whoever may receive me, doth receive Him who sent me, for he who is least among you all -- he shall be great.' Smith's Literal Translation And he said to them, Whoever should receive this child in my name receives me: and whoever should receive me, receives him having sent me: for he being less among you all, the same shall be great. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd said to them: Whosoever shall receive this child in my name, receiveth me; and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth him that sent me. For he that is the lesser among you all, he is the greater. Catholic Public Domain Version And he said to them: “Whoever will receive this child in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives him who sent me. For whoever is the lesser among you all, the same is greater.” New American Bible and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” New Revised Standard Version and said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he said to them, Everyone who receives a little boy like this one in my name, receives me; and he who receives me receives him who sent me; for whoever is least among you, let him be great. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And he said to them, “Whoever receives a boy like this one in my name, that one receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me, for whoever is least among you all, this one will be great.” NT Translations Anderson New Testamentand said to them: Whoever will receive this little child on my account, receives me; and whoever will receive me, receives him that sent me. For he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. Godbey New Testament and said to them, Haweis New Testament and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name, receiveth me; and whosoever receiveth me, receiveth Him that sent me: for he who is the least among you all, he shall be great. Mace New Testament whoever receives such a child in my name, receives me: and he that receives me, receives him that sent me, for he that is least among you all, he shall be greatest. Weymouth New Testament and said to them, "Whoever for my sake receives this little child, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives Him who sent me. For the lowliest among you all--he is the greatest." Worrell New Testament and said to them, Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Greatest in the Kingdom…47But Jesus, knowing the thoughts of their hearts, had a little child stand beside Him. 48And He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me. For whoever is the least among all of you, he is the greatest.” 49“Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.”… Cross References And He said to them, Matthew 18:1-2 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” / Jesus invited a little child to stand among them. Mark 9:35-36 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all and the servant of all.” / Then He had a little child stand among them. Taking the child in His arms, He said to them, Mark 10:13-14 Now people were bringing the little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, and the disciples rebuked those who brought them. / But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. “Whoever welcomes this little child in My name Mark 9:37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes not only Me, but the One who sent Me.” Matthew 18:5 And whoever welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me. Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” welcomes Me, Matthew 10:40 He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives the One who sent Me. John 1:12 But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— John 5:43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you have not received Me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will receive him. and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me. John 13:20 Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever receives the one I send receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives the One who sent Me.” John 12:44-45 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in Me does not believe in Me alone, but in the One who sent Me. / And whoever sees Me sees the One who sent Me. John 17:3 Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. For whoever is the least among all of you, Matthew 18:4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. / Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. he is the greatest.” Luke 22:26 But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. Treasury of Scripture And said to them, Whoever shall receive this child in my name receives me: and whoever shall receive me receives him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great. Whosoever shall receive this. Luke 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. Matthew 10:40-42 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me… Matthew 18:5,6,10,14 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me… he that. Luke 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. Luke 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 22:30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Jump to Previous Child Gives Great Greatest Honour Little Receive Receives Receiveth Sake WelcomesJump to Next Child Gives Great Greatest Honour Little Receive Receives Receiveth Sake WelcomesLuke 9 1. Jesus sends his apostles to work miracles, and to preach.7. Herod desires to see Jesus. 10. The apostles return. 12. Jesus feeds five thousand; 18. inquires what opinion the world had of him; foretells his passion; 23. proposes to all the pattern of his patience. 28. The transfiguration. 37. He heals the lunatic; 43. again forewarns his disciples of his passion; 46. commends humility; 51. bids them to show mildness toward all, without desire of revenge. 57. Many would follow him, but upon conditions. And He said to them This phrase indicates Jesus is addressing His disciples, often teaching them important lessons about the Kingdom of God. The context is a discussion among the disciples about who would be the greatest in the Kingdom, revealing their misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and values. Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me For whoever is the least among all of you he is the greatest Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus- The central figure in this passage, teaching His disciples about humility and greatness in the kingdom of God. 2. The Disciples - Jesus' followers who are being taught a lesson on humility and service. 3. The Child - Represents innocence, humility, and the least in society, used by Jesus as an example to convey His message. 4. The One who sent Me - Refers to God the Father, emphasizing the divine authority and mission of Jesus. 5. The Kingdom of God - The broader context of Jesus' teaching, focusing on the values and principles of God's reign. Teaching Points Humility as GreatnessTrue greatness in the kingdom of God is measured by humility and service, not by worldly standards of power and status. Welcoming the Least Embracing and serving those who are considered the least in society is akin to welcoming Christ Himself. Childlike Faith Believers are called to exhibit childlike faith and trust in God, characterized by innocence and dependence. Reflecting Christ's Character As followers of Christ, we are to reflect His character by valuing humility and service over self-promotion. Divine Authority and Mission Recognizing Jesus' divine mission and authority compels us to align our values with His teachings on humility and service. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Luke 9:48?2. How does Luke 9:48 redefine greatness in the kingdom of God? 3. What does "least among you" teach about humility and leadership? 4. How can we apply "receives this child" in our daily interactions? 5. Which other Scriptures emphasize serving others as a path to greatness? 6. How can we embody being "least" in our community and church? 7. How does Luke 9:48 challenge our understanding of greatness and humility in society? 8. What does "the least among you all" mean in the context of Luke 9:48? 9. How does Luke 9:48 redefine leadership and authority from a biblical perspective? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 9? 11. Mary, did you know your son would change the world? 12. Will a little child lead them? 13. Luke 10:25-37 - How does the sympathetic portrayal of the Samaritan compare with other biblical passages that cast Samaritans negatively? 14. Why would an all-knowing God ask Adam and Eve where they were (Genesis 3:9)? What Does Luke 9:48 Mean “Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me”• Jesus places a real child in front of the Twelve (Luke 9:47) to make the lesson tangible. • Welcoming someone “in My name” means receiving them because they belong to Christ, not for personal advantage; compare Matthew 18:5 and Mark 9:37. • Children were socially insignificant in that culture—no status, no power. By highlighting a child, Jesus redefines greatness as humble service (cf. Philippians 2:3-5). • Practical take-away: – Embrace those who cannot repay you (Luke 14:12-14). – Serve believers who seem unimportant; Christ counts that as service to Himself (Matthew 25:40). • Welcoming the least reveals a heart aligned with Jesus’ own compassion (Mark 10:13-16). “and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me” • Jesus links Himself inseparably to the Father (John 5:23). To receive Jesus is to receive God Himself—there is no higher honor. • This confirms Christ’s divine mission (John 3:17; Galatians 4:4-5). • The chain of welcome: – Child → Jesus → the Father. – By opening your life to the lowly, you draw near to the very throne of God (Hebrews 4:16; James 1:27). • Ministry to the unnoticed becomes worship of the Almighty. That perspective fuels joyful, sacrificial hospitality (Romans 12:13; 1 Peter 4:9). “For whoever is the least among all of you, he is the greatest.” • “Least” points to humble, self-forgetting service; “greatest” reflects Heaven’s evaluation, not earth’s applause (Matthew 20:26-28). • Jesus overturns the disciples’ argument about who was greatest (Luke 9:46) by redefining glory in terms of humility. • Cross references reinforce the principle: – Luke 14:11: “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” – 1 Peter 5:5-6: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. • True greatness grows out of: – Dependency on God, like a child (Matthew 18:3-4). – Service without seeking recognition (Colossians 3:23-24). – Willingness to take the lowest place, trusting God to exalt in His time (Luke 22:24-27). summary Jesus teaches that embracing society’s smallest in His name equals embracing Him—and, through Him, the Father. Kingdom greatness is measured not by status but by humble, childlike service. Welcoming the least becomes worship of God, and the one who gladly takes the lowest place stands tallest in Heaven’s sight. (48) For he that is least among you all.--The addition in this place and this form are peculiar to St. Luke's report, but agree in substance with Mark 9:35.The same shall be great.--The better MSS. give, "the same is great," the greatness not being thrown forward as a compensation to be received in the far-off future, but thought of as actually attained in the midst of, and by means of, the seeming humiliation. Verse 48. - Whosoever shall receive this child in my Name receiveth me. The general lesson here - and it is one that has gone to the heart more or less of all professing Christians - is that all the followers of Jesus should practise humility before, and show tenderness to, the weak. It is one of the great sayings of the Master which has stirred that practical charity which has ever been one of the great characteristic features of Christianity. But while the general lesson is clear, the particular reminder still claims attention. Singular and touching was the affection of Jesus for children. Several marked instances of this are noted in the Gospels. To this passage, however, and to the sequel as reported in St. Mark (Mark 9:42), may be especially referred the thought which has founded the countless child-homes, schools, and hospitals in all lands in different ages, and in our own time the institution of the Sunday school, not the least beautiful of Christian works done in the Master's Name.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Andκαὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. He said εἶπεν (eipen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. to them, αὐτοῖς (autois) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. “Whoever Ὃς (Hos) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that. welcomes δέξηται (dexētai) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1209: To take, receive, accept, welcome. Middle voice of a primary verb; to receive. this τοῦτο (touto) Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. little child παιδίον (paidion) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 3813: Neuter diminutive of pais; a childling, i.e., an infant, or a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature Christian. in ἐπὶ (epi) Preposition Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at. My μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. name ὀνόματί (onomati) Noun - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 3686: Name, character, fame, reputation. From a presumed derivative of the base of ginosko; a 'name'. welcomes δέχεται (dechetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1209: To take, receive, accept, welcome. Middle voice of a primary verb; to receive. Me, ἐμὲ (eme) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. whoever ὃς (hos) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that. welcomes δέξηται (dexētai) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1209: To take, receive, accept, welcome. Middle voice of a primary verb; to receive. Me ἐμὲ (eme) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. welcomes δέχεται (dechetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1209: To take, receive, accept, welcome. Middle voice of a primary verb; to receive. the [One who] τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. sent ἀποστείλαντά (aposteilanta) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular Strong's 649: From apo and stello; set apart, i.e. to send out literally or figuratively. Me. με (me) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. For γὰρ (gar) Conjunction Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. whoever ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. is ὑπάρχων (hyparchōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 5225: To begin, am, exist, be in possession. From hupo and archomai; to begin under, i.e. Come into existence; expletively, to exist (verb). [the] least μικρότερος (mikroteros) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular - Comparative Strong's 3398: Little, small. Including the comparative mikroteros apparently a primary word; small (figuratively) dignity). among ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. all πᾶσιν (pasin) Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. of you, ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. he οὗτός (houtos) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. [the] greatest.” μέγας (megas) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense. Links Luke 9:48 NIVLuke 9:48 NLT Luke 9:48 ESV Luke 9:48 NASB Luke 9:48 KJV Luke 9:48 BibleApps.com Luke 9:48 Biblia Paralela Luke 9:48 Chinese Bible Luke 9:48 French Bible Luke 9:48 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Luke 9:48 And said to them Whoever receives this (Luke Lu Lk) |
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