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

The Letters of John: Tyndale New Testament Commentary [TNTC]
The Letters of John: Tyndale New Testament Commentary [TNTC]
Retail: $25.00
Our Price: $14.49
Save: $10.51 (42%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
2 Corinthians, Reformation Commentary on Scripture
2 Corinthians, Reformation Commentary on Scripture
Retail: $60.00
Our Price: $39.99
Save: $20.01 (33%)
Psalms: Tyndale Old Testament Commentary [TOTC]
Psalms: Tyndale Old Testament Commentary [TOTC]
Retail: $30.00
Our Price: $18.49
Save: $11.51 (38%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
Commentaries on Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, and Hebrews
Commentaries on Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, and Hebrews
Retail: $70.00
Our Price: $51.99
Save: $18.01 (26%)
Ephesians: The IVP New Testament Commentary  [IVPNTC]
Ephesians: The IVP New Testament Commentary [IVPNTC]
Retail: $25.00
Our Price: $12.99
Save: $12.01 (48%)