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.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus reveals that true greatness isn't about status or power, but about embracing humility, even to the point of valuing the seemingly least important, like a child. This greatness isn't something earned in the future, but a present reality for those who embrace this mindset.
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.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just before this, Jesus had predicted his suffering and death, which saddened his disciples, yet they immediately began arguing among themselves about who was the greatest. In response, Jesus called a child to him and used the child’s humility as a lesson, teaching that true greatness in God’s kingdom comes not from seeking status, but from embracing humility and welcoming even the least important people in Jesus' name.
Jesus links welcoming the vulnerable to welcoming Him, and then God Himself. What does this radical connection reveal about God's heart and our mission?
In Luke 9:48, Jesus powerfully connects how we treat others to how we relate to God.
A Chain of Reception
This creates an unbroken chain: Child -> Jesus -> God. Our willingness to embrace the least among us becomes a tangible expression of our relationship with the divine.
Jesus flips worldly ambition on its head. The disciples debated who was greatest, but Jesus taught that true greatness is found in embracing lowliness.
The disciples were caught up in a typical human ambition: who among them would be the greatest in Jesus' coming kingdom. Jesus confronts this mindset directly.
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The Least IS the Great
This contrasts sharply with worldly values, where power and status often define greatness. Jesus redefines it through service and self-emptying.
Understand the original words
dechomai · Greek Verb
To welcome, accept, or take into one's company or fellowship. In this context, it implies identifying with and validating someone based on the authority of another.
onoma · Greek Noun
A technical term for acting as a representative or under the authority of another person. Using this name signifies allegiance to the person’s power, character, and mission.
mikroteros · Greek Adjective
The least, smallest, or most humble in status or importance. Jesus teaches that those who lower themselves in service are the ones truly exalted by God.
This teaching directly confronts the disciples' worldly ambition. By emphasizing that receiving a humble person, or even a child, in His name is equivalent to receiving Him and God, Jesus flips their understanding of status and power.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus Predicts His Suffering
Jesus begins to teach his disciples about his impending suffering, death, and resurrection. This prediction is met with confusion and grief, showing their inability to grasp his mission.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
Disciples Dispute Greatness
Following Jesus' prediction of suffering, the disciples engage in a debate about who among them is the greatest, revealing their worldly expectations of his kingdom.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus Uses a Child as an Example
In response to their dispute, Jesus calls a child, placing him among them to illustrate the principle that true greatness in his kingdom comes from humility and becoming like the least.
This passage is a direct parallel, where Jesus explicitly states that receiving a child in His name is equivalent to receiving Him, reinforcing the core message of humility and service.
Mark 9:37Mark's account echoes Jesus' teaching that whoever receives one such child in His name receives Him, and by extension, God the Father, highlighting the divine connection in acts of humble service.
Galatians 3:28This verse speaks to the equality and unity in Christ, which underpins the idea that in God's economy, human hierarchies and perceived greatness are overturned, making the humble truly great.
Philippians 2:3-4Paul's exhortation to do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but to count others more significant than yourselves, directly mirrors the principle Jesus teaches about humility leading to true greatness.
vincentLuke 9:48: "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."
In my nameSee on Matthew 18:5.
wesleyLuke 9:48: "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."
9:48 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.
Jesus reveals that true greatness isn't about status or power, but about embracing humility, even to the point of valuing the seemingly least important, like a child. This greatness isn't something earned in the future, but a present reality for those who embrace this mindset.
Just before this, Jesus had predicted his suffering and death, which saddened his disciples, yet they immediately began arguing among themselves about who was the greatest. In response, Jesus called a child to him and used the child’s humility as a lesson, teaching that true greatness in God’s kingdom comes not from seeking status, but from embracing humility and welcoming even the least important people in Jesus' name.
Just before this, Jesus had predicted his suffering and death, which saddened his disciples, yet they immediately began arguing among themselves about who was the greatest. In response, Jesus called a child to him and used the child’s humility as a lesson, teaching that true greatness in God’s kingdom comes not from seeking status, but from embracing humility and welcoming even the least important people in Jesus' name.
"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.”" — Jesus reveals that true greatness isn't about status or power, but about embracing humility, even to the point of valuing the seemingly least important, like a child. This greatness isn't something e…
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Last reviewed October 2026