Jesus' Reference to "Little Ones" in Matthew 18
In Matthew 18, Jesus uses the phrase "little ones" in a significant discourse concerning humility, faith, and the care of believers. The passage begins with the disciples asking Jesus who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus responds by calling a "little child" to himself and placing the child in their midst (Matthew 18:2). He then states, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3-4 ESV). This initial reference to a "little child" emphasizes humility as a prerequisite for entering and being great in God's kingdom [2].
Following this, Jesus extends the concept to those who receive such a child in his name, stating, "Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me" (Matthew 18:5 ESV). The term "little ones" then appears in a warning: "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea" (Matthew 18:6 ESV).
The identity of these "little ones" is a key interpretive point. While the passage begins with a literal child, the subsequent verses broaden the scope. The phrase "little ones who believe in me" in Matthew 18:6 suggests that Jesus is referring not only to actual children but also to believers who possess childlike humility and vulnerability [6]. John Gill, in his commentary on Matthew 19:14, suggests that Jesus' instruction to "suffer little children" also teaches disciples to "regard the weakest believers, and such as were but children in knowledge" [5]. Tyndale House further clarifies that "little ones" emphasizes their humility, drawing a connection to the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) and the earlier statement about becoming "like children" (Matthew 18:4) [6]. This interpretation suggests that "little ones" can refer to believing adults who have adopted a childlike posture of humility [6].
The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on Matthew 10:42, where Jesus again speaks of giving a cup of cold water to "one of these little ones," describes the term as a "Beautiful epithet!" referring to believers' "lowliness in spirit, their littleness in the eyes of an undiscerning world, while high in Heaven's esteem" [8]. This reinforces the idea that the "little ones" are those who are humble and perhaps marginalized, yet precious in God's sight.
The broader context of Matthew 18 is Jesus' teaching on community life and discipleship. The chapter addresses issues of humility, avoiding causing others to stumble, seeking the lost, and forgiveness. The parable of the lost sheep (Matthew 18:12-14) immediately follows the warning about causing "little ones" to stumble, with Jesus stating, "So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish" (Matthew 18:14 ESV). This parable underscores God's profound care for these vulnerable believers [4].
The Greek word for "little children" used in Matthew 18:2 is paidion [3]. While other Greek terms exist for "infants" (brephos) or "dear sons" (teknion), the use of paidion here, and in other passages like Matthew 19:13, can refer to young children [1]. However, the interpretive tradition often expands its meaning in Matthew 18 to encompass spiritual characteristics rather than solely age [6]. The beloved disciple John, for instance, uses various terms for "little children" in his epistles, sometimes referring to all believers as "little sons" (teknia) and other times to "infants" (paidia) [3, 7]. This linguistic nuance highlights the potential for the term to carry both literal and metaphorical weight.
Sources
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 18:15: LITTLE CHILDREN BROUGHT TO CHRIST. (Luk 18:15-17) infants--showing that some, at least, of those called in Matthew (Mat 19:13) and Mark (Mar 10:13) simply "little" or "young children," were literally "babes." touch them--or, as more fully in Matthew (Mat 19:13), "put His hands on them and pray," or invoke a "blessing" on them (Mar 10:16), according to venerable custom (Gen 48:14-15). rebuked them--Repeatedly the disciples thus interposed to save annoyance and interruption to their Master; but, as the result showed, always against the mind of Christ”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 18:3: 18:3 Like little children means to be humble (18:4). The disciples had been intent on status and ambition.”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 2:12: little children--Greek, "little sons," or "dear sons and daughters"; not the same Greek as in Jo1 2:13, "little children," "infants" (in age and standing). He calls ALL to whom he writes, "little sons" (Jo1 2:1, Greek; Jo1 2:28; Jo1 3:18; Jo1 4:4; Jo1 5:21); but only in Jo1 2:13, Jo1 2:18 he uses the term "little children," or "infants." Our Lord, whose Spirit John so deeply drank into, used to His disciples (Joh 13:33) the term "little sons," or dear sons and daughters; but in Joh 21:5, "little children." It is an undesigned coincidence with the Epist”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 18:12: 18:12 Just as a shepherd will work to recover a lost sheep, the “little ones” (18:6) must not be despised or neglected.”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 19:14: But Jesus said, suffer little children.... This he said to show his humility, that he was not above taking notice of any; and to teach his disciples to regard the weakest believers, and such as were but children in knowledge; and to inform them what all ought to be, who expect the kingdom of heaven; for it follows; and forbid them not to come unto me, now, or at any other time; for of such is the kingdom of heaven; that is, as the Syriac renders it, "who are as these" or as the Persic version, rather paraphrasing than translating, renders it, "who have been humb”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 18:6: 18:6 To cause one . . . to fall into sin is to lead believing children (or possibly believing adults who become “like children”; see 18:3) to reject Christ and abandon the faith. • The designation little ones emphasizes their humility (5:3-12; 18:4; 19:13-15). • Though the thought of being drowned with a large millstone around the neck is frightful, Jesus warned that causing another to fall away will bring far greater misery (18:7; 26:24; Rev 18:21; see Matt 22:13).”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 13:33: Little children--From the height of His own glory He now descends, with sweet pity, to His "little children," all now His own. This term of endearment, nowhere else used in the Gospels, and once only employed by Paul (Gal 4:19), is appropriated by the beloved disciple himself, who no fewer than seven times employs it in his first Epistle. Ye shall seek me--feel the want of Me. as I said to the Jews-- (Joh 7:34; Joh 8:21). But oh in what a different sense!”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 10:42: And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones--Beautiful epithet! Originally taken from Zac 13:7. The reference is to their lowliness in spirit, their littleness in the eyes of an undiscerning world, while high in Heaven's esteem. a cup of cold water only--meaning, the smallest service. in the name of a disciple--or, as it is in Mark (Mar 9:41), because ye are Christ's: from love to Me, and to him from his connection with Me. verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward--There is here a descending climax--"a prop”