IVP New Testament Commentary Series – Kingdom Status May Be Inverse to Worldly Status (18:1-4)
Resources chevron-right IVP New Testament Commentary Series chevron-right Matthew chevron-right RELATIONSHIPS IN THE KINGDOM (18:1-35) chevron-right Serving the Little Ones (18:1-14) chevron-right The Greatest Is the Child (18:1-5) chevron-right Kingdom Status May Be Inverse to Worldly Status (18:1-4)
Kingdom Status May Be Inverse to Worldly Status (18:1-4)

Ancient moralists regularly trotted forth models of heroes and statesmen for their students to imitate; Jesus instead points to a child. More so then than today, children were powerless, without status and utterly dependent on their parents (Harrington 1982:74). Yet we must imitate such people of no status, people who recognize their dependence (compare France 1985:270). To "turn" (NIV change) reflects the Jewish concept of repentance (as in Jer 34:15); compare John 3:3, 5.

Bible Gateway Recommends

John: IVP New Testament Commentary [IVPNTC]
John: IVP New Testament Commentary [IVPNTC]
Retail: $30.00
Our Price: $21.99
Save: $8.01 (27%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
The Message of John - eBook
The Message of John - eBook
Retail: $29.99
Our Price: $16.49
Save: $13.50 (45%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
Philippians: IVP New Testament Commentary [IVPNTC]
Philippians: IVP New Testament Commentary [IVPNTC]
Retail: $25.00
Our Price: $16.99
Save: $8.01 (32%)
Ecclesiastes: An Introduction and Commentary
Ecclesiastes: An Introduction and Commentary
Retail: $19.00
Our Price: $13.49
Save: $5.51 (29%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
Luke: IVP New Testament Commentary [IVPNTC]
Luke: IVP New Testament Commentary [IVPNTC]
Retail: $30.00
Our Price: $19.49
Save: $10.51 (35%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars