Matthew 18:3

1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
“Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
KJV
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
WEB
and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
ASV
and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.
DARBY
and said, Verily I say to you, Unless ye are converted and become as little children, ye will not at all enter into the kingdom of the heavens.
BLB
and said, “Truly I say to you⁺, if you⁺ shall not be turned and become as the little children, you⁺ shall never enter into the kingdom of the heavens.
ÅB
og sa: «I sannhet sier jeg dere: uten at dere omvender dere og blir som barn, kommer dere aldri inn i himlenes rike.
OTB
Og Han sa: «Sannelig, jeg sier dere, hvis dere ikke omvender dere og blir som barn, kommer dere aldri inn i himmelriket.
B1930
og sa: Sannelig sier jeg eder: Uten at I omvender eder og blir som barn, kommer I ingenlunde inn i himlenes rike.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Mark 10:14–15

    But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

    Read in context
  • 1 Peter 2:2

    As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

    Read in context
  • Matthew 19:14

    But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 14:20

    Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

    Read in context
  • Luke 18:16–17

    But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 131:2

    Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.

    Read in context
  • John 3:5

    Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

    Read in context
  • John 3:3

    Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

    Read in context