Mateus 18

Mateus 18

Charts from Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission Another Chart from Swindoll THE LIFE OF JESUS AS COVERED BY MATTHEW (shaded area) Source: Borrow Ryrie Study Bible Matthew 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” At that time: Mk 9:33-37 Who: Mt 20:20-28 23:11 Mk 9:34 10:35-45 Lu 9:46-48 22:24-27 Ro 12:10 Php 2:3 in the kingdom of heaven: Mt 3:2 5:19,20 7:21 Mk 10:14,15 Related Passages: Mark 9:33-37+ And they came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. 35 And sitting down, He called the twelve and *said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.” 36 And taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.” Luke 9:46-48+ And an argument arose among them as to which of them might be the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side, 48 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.” THE EVER PRESENT DANGER OF PRIDE At that time - Always pause to ponder "What time?" Gotquestions gives a good response - "This incident occurred after the Transfiguration and after Jesus’ second prediction of His death. Jesus had also just spoken about paying temple taxes, essentially claiming exemption as the Son of God yet miraculously providing for both Peter’s tax and His own so as not to cause offense. Too, Jesus had healed a demon-possessed boy whom His disciples were unable to heal (Matthew 17:14–21). Jesus’ power was evident, and the disciples recognized Him as Messiah and King. Evidently, they were interested in what their roles would be in Jesus’ kingdom. Rather than provide qualifications for the greatest or talk about a hierarchical structure, Jesus said those who became like children—humble—were the greatest (Matthew 18:4)." The disciples (mathetes) came to Jesus (Iesous) - This is undoubtedly the inner circle of the 12 disciples. And said, “Who then is greatest (meizon) in the kingdom (basileia) of heaven (ouranos) - This question would likely have been prompted because now the twelve are coming to the recognition that Jesus is indeed the Messiah, the King, and that he would soon assume His throne in an earthly kingdom and they wanted to know who would be greater. Is this not the natural tendency of all of us? The 12 are arguing about who is "Numero Uno" (Number one) which is amazing considering that they are in the presence of the Greatest One in all eternity! Unbelievable! Add to that fact that 9 of them had just failed the "cast out the demon test" (Mt 17:19+) and the other 3 had experienced a mountain top experience (Mt 17:1-9+) and you have the ingredients for an argument. Fallen flesh is always interested in self (take "h" off of "flesh" and spell it backwards!), which was clearly the case here. At the very least, consider the 9 who have just failed the "cast out a demon test" and now are arguing about who is the greatest (megas), the most significance, the most important! Pride is an ugly animal that will rear its head and attempt to take a mile if we give it even an inch. While the demon test would not have been very pride exalting for the 9, the 3 who went to the mountain would be another story. One can imagine one of them saying "You'll never guess Who I saw last week." Of course that is hypothetical because they were told to keep silent, but that would not have prevented their minds from exalting "self" for having had a once in a lifetime preview of the coming Kingdom! Warren Wiersbe makes a good point that "Recent events would have aggravated the problem, particularly with reference to Peter. After all, Peter had walked on the water, had been on the mountaintop with the Lord, and had even had his taxes paid by means of a miracle. The fact that Jesus had been sharing with the disciples the truth about His coming suffering and death did not affect them. They were thinking only of themselves and what position they would have in His kingdom. So absorbed were the disciples in this matter that they actually argued with each other! (Luke 9:46+)....When Christians are living for themselves and not for others, then there is bound to be conflict and division." (Bible Exposition Commentary) He spoke of His abasement, they thought of their own advancement; and that ‘at the same time‘.” -- C H Spurgeon C H Spurgeon Commentary - He spoke of his abasement, they thought of their own advancement; and that “at the same time. ” How different at the same moment the Teacher and the disciples! The idea of greatness, and of more or less of it for each one, was interwoven with their notion of a kingdom, even though it might be “the kingdom of heaven. ” They came unto Jesus; but how could they have the hardihood to ask their lowly Lord a question so manifestly alien to his thought and spirit? It showed their trustfulness, but also displayed their folly. John