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Robertson's Word Pictures of the NT

Luke 9:48

This little child

(τουτο το παιδιον). As Jesus spoke he probably had his hand upon the head of the child. Matthew 18:5 has "one such little child." The honoured disciple, Jesus holds, is the one who welcomes little children "in my name" (επ τω ονοματ μου), upon the basis of my name and my authority. It was a home-thrust against the selfish ambition of the Twelve. Ministry to children is a mark of greatness. Have preachers ever yet learned how to win children to Christ? They are allowed to slip away from home, from Sunday school, from church, from Christ.For he that is least among you all

(ο γαρ μικροτερος εν πασιν υμιν υπαρχων). Note the use of υπαρχω as in Luke 8:41; Luke 23:50. The comparative μικροτερος is in accord with the Koine idiom where the superlative is vanishing (nearly gone in modern Greek). Butgreat

(μεγας) is positive and very strong. This saying peculiar to Luke here.

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See also Luke 9:48 in other biblical comments:

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    See the notes at Matthew 18:1. Compare Mark 9:33....

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 9 CHAPTER 9:1-50 _ 1. Christ Sends Forth the Twelve Apostles. (Luke 9:1)_ 2. Herod Perplexed. (Luke 9:7) 3. The Return of the Apostles. (Luke 9:10) 4. The Feeding of the Five Thousand. ...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    THE QUESTION OF PRECEDENCE. THE UNATTACHED EXORCIST (Mark 9:33 *, Matthew 18:1 *). Lk.'s editorial hand is seen in his transferring Luke 9:48 b (he that is least, etc.) from its better position in Mk....

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    EMISSARIES OF THE KING (Luke 9:1-9)...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    There arose an argument amongst them as to which of them should be the greatest. But when Jesus knew the thoughts of their hearts he took a child and set him beside him. "Whoever, he said to them, "re...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    IN. _Greek. epi._ App-104. IS. subsists or exists. Greek. _huparcho,_ not the verb "to be". See Philippians 1:2; Philippians 1:6 (being); Luke 3:20 (is). LEAST. lowliest. SHALL BE. A

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _he that is least among you_ Comp. Matthew 23:11-12. He perhaps added the memorable words about offending His little ones. Matthew 18:6-10; Luke 17:2. _shall be great_ Rather, IS GREAT (א, B, C, L, X)...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    Ὁ ΓᾺΡ ΜΙΚΡΌΤΕΡΟΣ ἘΝ ΠΑ͂ΣΙΝ ὙΜΙ͂Ν ὙΠΆΡΧΩΝ. ‘_He whose position is least among you all_.’ Comp. Matthew 23:11-12. He perhaps added the memorable words about offending His little ones. Matthew 18:6-10; L...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    THE DEMONIAC BOY. THE LESSON OF MEEKNESS...

  • Catena Aurea Commentary

    Ver 46. Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. 47. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, 48. And said to them, Whosoev...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _PUT YOUR HAND TO THE PLOUGH AND DO NOT LOOK BACK -- LUKE 9:37-62:_ Our faith in the Christ will grow if we have faith in His power. His power was seen as He healed a severely demon possessed boy and...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΔΈΞΗΤΑΙ _aor. conj. med. (dep.), см._ Luke 9:5. _Conj._ в indef. rel. _прид._ ΆΠΟΣΤΕΊΛΑΝΤΑ _aor. act. part., см._ Luke 9:2. Part, в роли _subst._ ΜΙΚΡΌΤΕΡΟΣ _сотр. от_ ΜΙΚΡΌΣ (G3398) малый, маленький...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    APPLEBURY'S COMMENTS _True Greatness Scripture_ Luke 9:46-48 And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest. 47 But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their heart, he took a litt...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    BUTLER'S COMMENTS SECTION 6 Taming Temperaments (Luke 9:46-62) 46 And an argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 47But when Jesus perceived the thought of their hearts, he to...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. For the exposition, see the notes at Mark. 33-37 . It is a remarkable characteristic of this Gospel that the contents of...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    45 The Lord was not misled by the amazement of the multitude. He knew their fickleness and unbelief. But He was concerned more particularly that His disciples should not be deceived by the great impre...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    FEEDING THE FIVE THOUSAND. PETER'S CONFESSION. THE TRANSFIGURATION 1-6. Mission of the Twelve (Matthew 10:1; Matthew 10:5; Mark 6:7). See on Mt....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    WHO SHOULD BE GREATEST (Matthew 18:1; Mark 9:33). See on Mt. 49, 50. THE MAN CASTING OUT DEVILS IN CHRIST'S NAME. See on Mark 9:38. Luke 9:51 t

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    LUKE’S GOOD NEWS LUKE _HILDA BRIGHT_ CHAPTER 9 JESUS SENDS OUT THE 12 *APOSTLES 9:1-10 V1 Jesus called the 12 *apostles together. He gave them power and authority over all *demons and diseases....

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    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...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    τοῦτο τὸ παιδίον, this particular child not such a child, or what such a child represents, the little and insignificant as in Mt. and Mk. Yet Lk.'s expression practically means that = this child, for...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    _Who might be the greatest_ (Matthew 18:1-5; Mark 9:33-41)....

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    Luke 9:1-50 contain sundry particulars which together form the closing scenes of the Galilean ministry: the mission of the Twelve, the feeding of the thousands, the conversation on the Christ and the...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    THE GREATEST SERVE THE NEEDIEST Luke 9:37-50 When the mountain is bathed in the glory of God we are loath to leave it. But we must not tarry in the enjoyment of its raptures, when the plain contains...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    As He sent His apostles out, He gave them power and authority. They went forth without any provision for the journey other than the things of spiritual equipment. Rumors of the ministry and power they...

  • Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament

    THE INFANT THE PARAGON Matthew 18:2-5; Mark 9:36-37; Luke 9:48. Mark: “Jesus, calling to Him a little child, placed it in their midst, and said, Truly, I say unto you, Except ye may be converted, and...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    6. _The three last Incidents of Jesus' Galilean Ministry:_ 9.43b-50....

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    FOURTH CYCLE: FROM THE MISSION OF THE TWELVE TO THE DEPARTURE FROM GALILEE, LUKE 9:1-50. This cycle describes the close of the Galilean ministry. It embraces six narrations: 1 _st._ The mission of the...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    (37) And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him: (38) And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee look upon...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    The ninth chapter opens with the mission not the setting apart, but the circuit of the twelve sent out by the Lord, who therein was working after a fresh sort. He communicates power in grace to men, c...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _THE PRIDE OF THE DISCIPLES_ ‘He that is least among you all, the same shall be great … he that is not against us is for us.’ Luke 9:48 Two important warnings— I. AGAINST PRIDE AND SELF-CONCEIT.—F...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    In chapter 9 the Lord charges the disciples with the same mission in Israel as that which He Himself fulfilled. They preach the kingdom, heal the sick, and cast out devils. But this is added, that the...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    AND SAID UNTO THEM, WHOSOEVER SHALT RECEIVE THIS CHILD,.... Or "one such little child", as in Matthew 18:5 and so the Syriac version here, "a child like to this"; and the Arabic version, "one like to...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _And there arose a reasoning among them_ According to our version here, this reasoning, or dispute, happened at the time when Jesus rebuked his disciples for it. But, Mark 9:33, we are expressly told,...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    Who should be greatest. Matthew 18:1-6....

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    LESSONS IN HUMILITY. The question as to the greatest:...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the 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, THE SAME SHALL BE GREAT. Just...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    THE LORD JESUS SUFFICIENT FOR HUMAN MISERY AND NEED (vs.1-17) The Lord had shown Himself as the perfect remedy for the world's disturbance, its bondage to Satan, its disease occasioned by sin and its...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    43-50 This prediction of Christ's sufferings was plain enough, but the disciples would not understand it, because it agreed not with their notions. A little child is the emblem by which Christ teache...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    SEE POOLE ON "LUKE 9:46...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Cyprian Epistle VI let those who follow the Lord humbly and peacefully and silently tread in His steps, since the lower one is, the more exalted be may become; as says the Lord, "He that is least amo...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Luke 9:48 and G2532 said G2036 (G5627) them G846 Whoever G3739 G1437 receives G1209 (G5667) this...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘For he who is least among you all, the same is great.' Then He laid down one of His great maxims. ‘For he who is least among you all, the same is great.' In other words, God sees as great the one who...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    ‘But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their heart, he took a little child, and set him by his side, and said to them, “Whoever shall receive this little child in my name receives me, and whoever shall...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Luke 9:46-50. THE DISCIPLES REBUKED for their emulation and exclusiveness. See on Matthew 18:1-5; Mark 9:33-40; especially the latter. In the briefer narrative of Luke there is nothing at variance wit...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    LUKE is here very brief, presenting few new details. All three Gospels place the events recorded in this section just before our Lord's final departure from Galilee (Luke 9:51)....

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Our Lord had been on the mountain, and had been transfigured; and when he came down, the first person that he met was the devil, with whom he had to come in contact. Whenever you or I get up on the mo...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: The twelve sent forth to preach and their return. 5000 fed. Peter's confession of Christ. The transfiguration. The powerless disciples and the demon ridden boy. Jesus' rebuke of sectarianism...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Luke 9:1. _He called his twelve disciples together,_ privately, it would seem, and gave them power and authority to preach, and to heal diseases. Those powers must go together as was foretold in Isaia...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    AS TO WHICH ONE OF THEM WAS THE GREATEST. See notes on Matthew 18:1-6. JOHN SPOKE UP. See notes on John's statement in Mark 9:38-40....

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Which of them should be greatest_ THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN I. Who ARE NOT the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 1. The lofty in birth and the rich in possession have no claim, on suc...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    LUKE—NOTE ON LUKE 9:48 RECEIVES THIS CHILD... RECEIVES ME; RECEIVES ME RECEIVES HIM WHO SENT ME. An example of “step parallelism” (compare Luke 10:16

  • The Gospels Compared

    THE DISCIPLES ARGUE ABOUT WHO WOULD BE THE GREATEST MATTHEW 18:1-6; MARK 9:33-41; LUKE 9:46-50; MATTHEW 18:1 At the same time came the dis

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    CHAPTER 9 Ver. 8. _One of the old prophets was risen again._ As Enoch and Elias will rise again before the end of all things, to resist Antichrist. In like manner as Peter, Bishop and Martyr, the son...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ Luke 9:46. A REASONING.—Rather, “a dispute.” Luke 9:47. PERCEIVING THE THOUGHT OF THEIR HEART.—The word “thought “is the same as that in Luke 9:46, translated “reasoning.” We are nat...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION LUKE 9:1 _The Master sends out the twelve on a mission_. LUKE 9:1 THEN HE CALLED HIS TWELVE DISCIPLES TOGETHER. The Galilee ministry was just over; _outwardly_ it had been a triumphant...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Let's turn in our Bibles to the gospel according to Luke, chapter 9. Luke here records the sending of the twelve to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. This is not to be confused with the...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Peter 5:3; 1 Peter 5:4; 1 Peter 5:6; 1 Thessalonians 4:8; John 12:44;

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    In my name. See on Matthew 18:5. 51 - 56. Peculiar to Luke....

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    WHAT KIND OF A CHRISTIAN AM I? Luke 9:32 INTRODUCTORY WORDS In the ninth chapter of Luke, we have at least nine marks of carnality displayed by the disciples. We will introduce the study by noting...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    And said to them — If ye would be truly great, humble yourselves to the meanest offices. He that is least in his own eyes shall be great indeed....

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Old Testament