Who Is the Greatest?
TRANSLATION
(22) And when they had gathered in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered over to hostile hands, (23) and they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised up.” And they were filled with sorrow. (24) And when they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the temple tax?” (25) He said, “Of course.” And when he entered the house, Jesus spoke to him first: “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children or from others?” (25) And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the children are free. (27) But so that we do not cause them any offense, go to the sea and cast in a line and take the first fish that you catch and, when you have opened its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them (to pay) for me and yourself.”
(1) At that time the disciples came to Jesus, asking, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” (2) And he called a little child and placed him in their midst (3) and said, “Truly I say to you that unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. (4) Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. (5) And whoever receives a child like this in my name receives me. (6) However, regarding the one who causes one of these little ones that believe in me to sin, it would be better for that person to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.
(7) “Woe to the world because of those things that cause people to stumble! For it is necessary that such occasions to stumble arise, but woe to the person through whom that stumbling arises! (8) And if your hand or foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It would be better for you to enter into life crippled or lame rather than having two hands and two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire. (9) And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away. It would be better to enter into life with one eye, rather than, having two eyes, be thrown into the fires of hell. (10) Be sure that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always gaze upon the face of my Father who is in heaven.”
OBSERVATIONS
In each of the paragraphs in this segment, repetitions help us discern the author’s meaning. In the first, “tax” is found twice (vs. 24) along with its synonyms, “toll” and “tribute” (vs. 25). Both “children” and “others” were repeated (vss. 25 & 26) in the first segment. In the second, repeated words included “greatest” (vss. 1 & 4), “Kingdom of Heaven” (three times in vss. 1, 3, & 4), and “child/children” (four times in vss. 2, 3, 4, & 5) along with two uses of the synonym “little ones” (vss. 6 & 10).
In the final paragraph, “woe” is found twice (vs. 7), a form of “stumble” five times (vss. 7, 8 & 9) and three times with the introductory words, “causes you to” (vss. 7, 8, & 9). “Heaven” is also found twice (vs. 10). Three repetitions of body parts, “hand(s),” “foot/feet,” “eye(s)” along with three uses of “two” should also be noted (vss. 8-10). Finally, “fire(s)” occurred twice (vss. 8 & 9).
OUTLINE
I. Peter obligated Jesus to pay the two-drachma tax which he did with a miracle. (17:22-24)
II. Jesus taught his disciples regarding the nature of true greatness. (18:1-6)
III. Jesus warned his disciples to avoid at any cost whatever might cause others to sin. (18:7-10)
IDEA STATEMENT
Following Jesus means relying on his provision while humbling ourselves to serve those around us.
APPLICATION
The cost of discipleship was in view throughout this account. In the first episode, Jesus showed Peter that those who follow him can count on their master to cover any material or financial obligations they might incur. If need be, money could be miraculously discovered in the mouth of a fish. In the second episode, Jesus dealt with his disciples’ concerns regarding greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven by placing a child in their midst and teaching them that following him would require them to humble themselves and be willing to serve those considered the least worthy in their world.
Finally, Jesus warned that those who wish to become his disciples must renounce anything that might cause them personally to turn away from God while at the same time avoiding whatever that might cause others, especially children, to stumble. In essence, greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven is measured in two ways: by how low we are willing to stoop to serve others and by how highly we prioritize the concerns of those around us.