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

MATTHEW 18:2KJV
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Matthew 18:2 (KJV)

What does Matthew 18:2 mean?

Matthew 18:2 describes Jesus calling a young child to come to him and placing the child in the middle of the group he was speaking to. This action sets the stage for Jesus to teach an important lesson using the child as an example.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to his disciples, who have just asked him about who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. By bringing a child into their midst, Jesus uses a real-life example to illustrate his teaching. The verse highlights Jesus’ intentional choice to use a child—someone seen as humble and unimportant in that culture—to make a point about true greatness.

The Greek behind Matthew 18:2

  • παιδίον (paidion): This word means "little child" or "young child." The choice of this word emphasizes the youth and low social status of the person Jesus called, underscoring the humility Jesus is about to highlight.
  • ἐν μέσῳ (en mesō): This phrase means "in the midst" or "in the middle." By placing the child in the center, Jesus draws everyone's attention to the child, making the child the focus of the teaching moment.

Why Matthew 18:2 matters

  • Matthew 18:2 clears up any idea that Jesus’ teachings about greatness are abstract; he uses a real child as a living example, making his point concrete and memorable.
  • The verse emphasizes humility and lowliness by showing that Jesus deliberately chooses someone considered insignificant by society to illustrate his teaching.
  • This action connects directly to the next verses, where Jesus explains that becoming like a child is essential for entering the kingdom of heaven, setting up a key teaching about humility and dependence on God.

Where else these words appear

“called” Greek G4341 · used in 30 verses

  • Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
  • Mark 8:1 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,
  • Acts 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

“child” Greek G3813 · used in 48 verses

  • Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
  • Mark 5:40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
  • Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

“midst” Greek G3319 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
  • Luke 17:11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
  • Acts 23:10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.