Luke 9:48
And said unto 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 least among you all, the same shall be great.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοῖς
unto them
G846
αὐτοῖς
unto them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 34
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὃς
Whosoever
G3739
ὃς
Whosoever
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
4 of 34
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐὰν
G1437
ἐὰν
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
5 of 34
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
δέχεται
receiveth
G1209
δέχεται
receiveth
Strong's:
G1209
Word #:
6 of 34
to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παιδίον
child
G3813
παιδίον
child
Strong's:
G3813
Word #:
9 of 34
a childling (of either sex), i.e., (properly), an infant, or (by extension) a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature christian
ἐπὶ
in
G1909
ἐπὶ
in
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
10 of 34
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀνόματί
name
G3686
ὀνόματί
name
Strong's:
G3686
Word #:
12 of 34
a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character)
δέχεται
receiveth
G1209
δέχεται
receiveth
Strong's:
G1209
Word #:
15 of 34
to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὃς
Whosoever
G3739
ὃς
Whosoever
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
17 of 34
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐὰν
G1437
ἐὰν
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
18 of 34
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
δέχεται
receiveth
G1209
δέχεται
receiveth
Strong's:
G1209
Word #:
20 of 34
to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
δέχεται
receiveth
G1209
δέχεται
receiveth
Strong's:
G1209
Word #:
21 of 34
to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀποστείλαντά
that sent
G649
ἀποστείλαντά
that sent
Strong's:
G649
Word #:
23 of 34
set apart, i.e., (by implication) to send out (properly, on a mission) literally or figuratively
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
26 of 34
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
μικρότερος
least
G3398
μικρότερος
least
Strong's:
G3398
Word #:
27 of 34
small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity)
ὑπάρχων
he that is
G5225
ὑπάρχων
he that is
Strong's:
G5225
Word #:
31 of 34
to begin under (quietly), i.e., come into existence (be present or at hand); expletively, to exist (as copula or subordinate to an adjective, particip
Cross References
Luke 14:11For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.Luke 22:26But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.1 Peter 5:6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:John 13:20Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.Luke 10:16He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.Revelation 3:21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.Mark 9:37Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.John 14:21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.1 Thessalonians 4:8He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.Luke 22:30That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Historical Context
This followed disciples' argument about which of them was greatest (v. 46)—shocking given Jesus' recent teaching about His coming suffering (v. 44). Jesus used a child as object lesson (v. 47), emphasizing that receiving the least (children, nobodies) equals receiving Jesus and the Father (v. 48). First-century culture valued status, honor, greatness. Disciples reflected this, jockeying for position in Jesus' coming kingdom. Jesus repeatedly corrected this—last shall be first (Matthew 20:16), greatest is servant (Matthew 23:11). He modeled it—washing disciples' feet (John 13), dying as criminal. Early church emphasized humility as Christian virtue (Philippians 2:3, James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:5-6).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' inversion of greatness (the least is great) challenge worldly values and Christian ambition?
- What does it mean practically to be 'least among you all,' and why is this the path to true greatness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus teaches: 'For he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.' This statement inverts worldly values—greatness in God's kingdom comes through humility, not self-promotion. The 'least' (Greek 'mikroteros,' μικρότερος, smallest, youngest, least important) refers to those accepting lowly positions, serving others, avoiding status-seeking. The phrase 'shall be great' (Greek 'estin megas,' ἐστὶν μέγας) is present tense—already great, not will become. In God's estimation, the humble servant is already great, though worldly observers see lowliness. This requires faith—believing God's evaluation over human opinion.