Luke 9:48

48 And said to 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 the lesser among you all, he is the greater.

Luke 9:48 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 9:48

And said unto them, whosoever shalt receive this child,
&c.] Or "one such little child", as in ( Matthew 18:5 ) and so the Syriac version here, "a child like to this"; and the Arabic version, "one like to this child"; not in age, but in meekness and humility; one that is not proud and haughty, ambitious of worldly honour, and envious at the superior state of others: whoever receives such an one into his house and heart, and the Gospel he preaches,

in my name;
because he belongs to me, is sent by me, and represents me, and delivers my message:

receiveth me;
represented by him, and will be so taken:

and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth him that sent me;
(See Gill on Mark 9:37)

For he that is least among you all;
that is so, in his own opinion, and behaves as such in his conduct, who is lowly and meek, and humble; and so the Ethiopic version, rather interpreting than translating, renders it, "for he that makes himself humble, who is lesser than all"; who considers himself as the least of the apostles, and unworthy to be one, as did the Apostle Paul:

the same shall be great;
shall be highly honoured with gifts, and made greatly useful, as the above mentioned apostle was: a saying like this, the Jews have F21;

``every one, (wmue Nyjqmh) , "that makes himself little", for the words of the law in this world, (lwdg hven) , "shall be made great" in the world to come;''

that is, in the days of the Messiah: and again it is said by F23 them,

``worthy is he that makes himself little in this world, how great and high shall he be in that world!--whoever is little shall be great, and he that is great shall be little.''


FOOTNOTES:

F21 T. Bab Bava Metzia, fol. 85. 2.
F23 Zohar in Num. for. 70. 1. & Tosaphta in Zohar in Gen. fol. 76. 2.

Luke 9:48 In-Context

46 And there entered a thought into them, which of them should be greater.
47 But Jesus seeing the thoughts of their hearts, took a child and set him by him,
48 And said to 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 the lesser among you all, he is the greater.
49 And John, answering, said: Master, we saw a certain man casting out devils in thy name: and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us.
50 And Jesus said to him: Forbid him not: for he that is not against you is for you.
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