Luke 18:17

17 ¹Truly, I say to you, whoever does not ²receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."

Luke 18:17 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 18:17

Verily I say unto you
, Christ takes an occasion from hence to teach his disciples humility, and guard them against pride and vanity:

whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God;
the King Messiah, the doctrines of the Gospel, and the ordinances of it, even the whole Gospel dispensation;

as a little child;
without prejudice, pride, ambition, and vanity, with meekness, and humility:

shall in no wise enter therein;
a very unfit and improper person to be a professor of the Gospel; or to be admitted to Gospel ordinances: or be a member of a Gospel church; or be reckoned a subject of the Messiah's kingdom, which is of a spiritual nature; and as he has not a meetness for, and a right unto the kingdom of glory, he shall never see it, and enjoy it.

Luke 18:17 In-Context

15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."

18 And a ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

19 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

Cross References

• 1. [John 3:3, 5]
• 2. [Luke 8:13; James 1:21]