Mat 18:1, Luk 9:46, 22:24 | Barnes | STEP | MATTHEW CHAPTER 18 Verses 1-6. See also . Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven ? By the kingdom of heaven they meant the kingdom which they supposed he was about to set up-- his kingdom as the Messiah. They asked the question because they supposed, in accordance with the common expectation of the Jews, that he was about to set up a temporal kingdom of great splendour; and they wished to know who should have the principal offices and posts of honour and profit. This was among them a frequent subject of inquiry and controversy. informs us that they had had a dispute on this subject in the way. Jesus, he says, inquired of them what they had been disputing about. says, that Jesus perceived the thought of their heart;--an act implying omniscience, for none can search the heart but God, . The disciples, conscious that the subject of their dispute was known, requested Jesus to decide it, . They were at first silent through shame, but perceiving that the subject of their dispute was known, they came, as Matthew states, and referred the matter to him for his opinion. (u) "At the same"

Matthew 18:1

MATTHEW CHAPTER 18

Verses 1-6. See also Mk 9:33-41, Lk 9:46-60. Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? By the kingdom of heaven they meant the kingdom which they supposed he was about to set up-- his kingdom as the Messiah. They asked the question because they supposed, in accordance with the common expectation of the Jews, that he was about to set up a temporal kingdom of great splendour; and they wished to know who should have the principal offices and posts of honour and profit. This was among them a frequent subject of inquiry and controversy. Mk 9:34 informs us that they had had a dispute on this subject in the way. Jesus, he says, inquired of them what they had been disputing about. Lk 9:47 says, that Jesus perceived the thought of their heart;--an act implying omniscience, for none can search the heart but God, Jer 17:10. The disciples, conscious that the subject of their dispute was known, requested Jesus to decide it, Mt 18:1. They were at first silent through shame, Mk 9:34 but perceiving that the subject of their dispute was known, they came, as Matthew states, and referred the matter to him for his opinion.

(u) "At the same" Mk 9:33, Lk 9:46, 22:24

Luke 9:46

Verses 46-50. Mt 18:1, and Mt 18:2-5. Comp. Mk 9:33-38.

(p) "Then there arose" Mt 18:1, Mk 9:34

Luke 22:24

Verse 24. A strife. A contention or debate.

Which of them should be the greatest. The apostles, in common with the Jews generally, had supposed that the Messiah would come as a temporal prince, and in the manner of other princes of the earth--of course, that he would have officers of his government, ministers of state, &c. Their contention was founded on this expectation, and they were disputing which of them should be raised to the highest office. They had before had a similar contention. See Mt 18:1, 20:20-28. Nothing can be more humiliating than that the disciples should have had such contentions, and in such a time and place. That just as Jesus was contemplating his own death, and labouring to prepare them for it, they should strive and contend about office and rank, shows how deeply seated is the love of power; how ambition will find its way into the most secret and sacred places; and how even the disciples of the meek and lowly Jesus are sometimes actuated by this most base and wicked feeling.

(l) "And there was also" Mk 9:34, Lk 9:46