Luke 18:17

17 Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in."

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 People brought babies to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. When the disciples saw it, they shooed them off.
16 Jesus called them back. "Let these children alone. Don't get between them and me. These children are the kingdom's pride and joy.
17 Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in."
18 One day one of the local officials asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to deserve eternal life?"
19 Jesus said, "Why are you calling me good? No one is good - only God.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.