Luke 18:17

17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Luke 18:17 in Other Translations

17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

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

17 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

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

17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein.

17 I can guarantee this truth: Whoever doesn't receive the kingdom of God as a little child receives it will never enter it."

17 I assure you: Whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

17 What I'm about to tell you is true. Anyone who will not receive God's kingdom like a little child will never 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 People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them.

16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.

Cross References

• 1. Matthew 11:25; Matthew 18:3