“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is saying that when we welcome someone who embodies humility and childlike faith, we're not just embracing them; we're receiving Him. And in receiving Him, we're actually connecting with the very Father who sent Him, showing how deeply God values even the seemingly insignificant.
“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just moments before this, Jesus had been teaching his disciples about humility and service, using a little child as a living example. They had been arguing amongst themselves about who was the greatest, a sign that they still had very worldly ideas about his kingdom. Jesus then declared that true greatness is found in being the servant of all, and illustrated this by embracing a child, linking these seemingly insignificant ones directly to himself.
Jesus takes a child in His arms and uses this tender moment to teach His disciples about true greatness. What does it mean to 'receive' someone in Jesus' name?
Jesus connects receiving a 'little child' – not just a literal child, but anyone exhibiting child-like qualities of humility, innocence, and trust – with receiving Him.
The 'Child-Like' Heart
This isn't just about literal children, but about a spiritual disposition. The commentators highlight that 'such children' can refer to those who are 'such in heart' or who are 'like to this child' in simplicity, innocence, and humility. It's about adopting a spirit that doesn't seek status or demand recognition.
Receiving in His Name
When Jesus says 'in my name,' it means doing so because of who Jesus is, and in alignment with His character. It's an act motivated by love for Christ and a desire to reflect His values. Such an act of kindness or charity towards the humble, the lowly, or the 'least of these' believers is seen by Jesus as an act done directly to Him.
The verse doesn't stop at receiving Jesus. There's a profound escalation of who is ultimately being received. What does this ultimate reception signify?
Jesus reveals a stunning chain of reception, moving from the humble follower to Himself, and then from Himself to God the Father.
Beyond Jesus Himself
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When Jesus says, 'whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me,' He’s not diminishing His own importance. Instead, He’s pointing to the divine unity and purpose between Himself and the Father. The act of receiving Jesus is so deeply connected to God that it doesn’t terminate with Jesus; it extends to the very source of His being and mission.
Ultimate Revelation in God
This means that embracing Jesus, accepting His message, and following His example is, in essence, embracing the very heart and will of God. The commentaries highlight that the reception of Christ is not merely about accepting a historical figure, but about entering into fellowship with the 'Supreme and Eternal Love,' God Himself. The act of receiving even the humblest believer 'in Jesus' name' ultimately leads to receiving God the Father.
Understand the original words
dechomai · Greek Verb
In biblical usage, to receive someone or something is to welcome, accept, or take into one's fellowship or care, often implying an act of faith or obedience.
onoma · Greek Noun
In the biblical sense, acting in the name of God or Jesus signifies acting by His authority, under His mandate, and representing His character or mission.
This teaching about receiving 'little children' unfolds amidst the disciples' profound misunderstanding of Jesus' mission. Their arguments about earthly status clash directly with Jesus' radical redefinition of greatness, showing how worldly ambition blinds us to God's kingdom values.
c. AD 28
Jesus calls disciples
Jesus begins his public ministry, calling disciples like Peter, James, and John to follow him and learn from him.
c. AD 29
Jesus predicts his death
After the Transfiguration, Jesus begins to teach his disciples more directly about his impending suffering, death, and resurrection, which they struggle to understand.
c. AD 29
Disciples argue about greatness
On the way to Capernaum, the disciples dispute among themselves about who is the greatest among them, revealing their worldly ambitions.
c. AD 29— this verse
Jesus teaches humility with a child
Jesus uses a child as an object lesson to teach his disciples that true greatness in the Kingdom of God is found in humility, service, and welcoming the least among them.
c. AD 30
Jesus enters Jerusalem
Jesus makes his final journey to Jerusalem, facing betrayal and crucifixion.
c. AD 30
Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified and rises from the dead, the ultimate act of receiving and being received by the Father.
This passage directly parallels Jesus' teaching, emphasizing that to enter the kingdom of God, one must 'become like little children,' highlighting the spiritual significance of childlike qualities like humility and trust.
Matthew 25:40This verse powerfully connects the act of serving the least among us to serving Jesus Himself, echoing the sentiment that how we treat others, especially the vulnerable, reflects our relationship with Him and, by extension, with God.
John 13:20Jesus tells his disciples, 'Whoever receives the one I send receives me,' directly linking the reception of his messengers to the reception of himself, reinforcing the idea that honoring God's representatives is honoring God.
Galatians 3:26This verse states that 'in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,' broadening the concept of 'child' beyond literal age to include all believers who have faith, suggesting that receiving any believer in Christ's name is receiving Christ.
bengelMark 9:37: "Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me."
Mark 9:37 . Τῶν τοιούτων , of such ) Little children; also those who are such in heart.— ἐμὲ , Me ) Who “am lowly in heart.”— οὐκ ἐμὲ , not Me ) That is, his act of reception does not terminate with this. [ What a difference there is between a little child and the Supreme GOD! Yet they are joined together through Christ .—V. g.]
expositorsMark 9:28-37: "And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?"
CHAPTER 9:28-37 (Mark 9:28-37)JESUS AND THE DISCIPLES "And when He was come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, saying, We could not cast it out. And He said unto them, This kind can come out by nothing, save by prayer. And they went forth from thence, and passed through Galilee; and He would not that any man should know it. For He taught His disciples, and said…
Jesus is saying that when we welcome someone who embodies humility and childlike faith, we're not just embracing them; we're receiving Him. And in receiving Him, we're actually connecting with the very Father who sent Him, showing how deeply God values even the seemingly insignificant.
Just moments before this, Jesus had been teaching his disciples about humility and service, using a little child as a living example. They had been arguing amongst themselves about who was the greatest, a sign that they still had very worldly ideas about his kingdom. Jesus then declared that true greatness is found in being the servant of all, and illustrated this by embracing a child, linking these seemingly insignificant ones directly to himself.
Just moments before this, Jesus had been teaching his disciples about humility and service, using a little child as a living example. They had been arguing amongst themselves about who was the greatest, a sign that they still had very worldly ideas about his kingdom. Jesus then declared that true greatness is found in being the servant of all, and illustrated this by embracing a child, linking these seemingly insignificant ones directly to himself.
"“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”" — Jesus is saying that when we welcome someone who embodies humility and childlike faith, we're not just embracing them; we're receiving Him. And in receiving Him, we're actually connecting with the ve…
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Last reviewed October 2026