MATTHEW 18:1 THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM

Doug said:

Jesus was saying, to enter the kingdom, and be the greatest, they had to become as little children, and humble themselves. They were exalting themselves, in thinking, that they were worthy to be the greatest in the kingdom.

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Yes I agree...he that chooses to take the lowest seat will be asked to "come up higher".

On the other hand, they did at least have the wisdom to know that there are degrees, positions and levels in the kingdom.
I find so many Christians believe that we are all just one equal holy 'glob'.

I do believe that Paul also, like them "pressed toward the Prize of the high calling..."
He did not want to end up in the 'back forty'.
He knew there was a race to be one...not against each other for a good place, but to reach the place of potential that Jesus has for each of us.

"I go to prepare a place for you..."

Our part is to make sure that we "run well" ...

Doug said:

Matthew 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

18:2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

18:3 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.

18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.


The disciples wanted to know who would be greatest in the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven is the prophetic, Davidic, kingdom on earth, promised to Israel. Once again, it is the kingdom promised Israel, that is in view; it is not the revelations of Paul, nor his gospel, nor the body of Christ, that is the topic in Matthew.

Jesus was saying, to enter the kingdom, and be the greatest, they had to become as little children, and humble themselves. They were exalting themselves, in thinking, that they were worthy to be the greatest in the kingdom.

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Interesting only that the kingdom came along with Jesus and only the born again (babes in Christ, the little children could see it). Today many adults miss the kingdom thinking about it physically as the Pharisees did.

Doug said:

The kingdom of God is comprised of both physical, and spiritual components. The kingdom of God is heaven, and earth. 1 Chronicles 29:11

The kingdom of God can be used for the earthly, or the heavenly kingdoms, depending on who and what is being addressed in Biblical passages.

The kingdom of heaven refers to the prophetic earthly kingdom promised by covenant to believing Israel.
It is a physical earthly kingdom. Revelation 5:10 Deuteronomy 4:39 4:40

The Pharisees rejected Jesus.

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The Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven are two names for the same. They are interchangeable.

Doug said:

The kingdom of God, and the kingdom of heaven are not the same.......The kingdom of heaven is included in the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is the overriding description of the kingdom; the kingdom is comprised of the heavenly places, and the kingdom on earth. The kingdom of God, and the kingdom of heaven, are only seen as interchangeable because the kingdom of heaven is incorporated within the kingdom of God. Which kingdom is in view in Bible passages must be discerned by which kingdom Bible passages are speaking of; Israel or the body of Christ.

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The phrase “kingdom of Heaven” occurs thirty-two (32) times and only in the Gospel of Matthew. The phrase “kingdom of God” occurs thirty-two (32) times in the Gospel of Luke, the most of any book in the Bible.

An examination of Synoptic parallels will demonstrate that the two phrases refer to the same idea.

“the kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17) || “the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15)

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven” (Matt. 5:3) || “Blessed are the poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20)

“Among those born of women there has not risen a greater than John the Baptist, notwithstanding he who is least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than him.” (Matt. 11:11) || “Among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist, but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than him.” (Luke 7:28)

“the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 13:11) || “the mysteries of the kingdom of God” (Mark 4:11 cp. Luke 8:10)

“the kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed” (Matt 13:31) || “the kingdom of God...is like a grain of mustard seed” (Mark 4:30-31 cp. Luke 13:18-19)

“The kingdom of Heaven is like leaven” (Matt. 13:33) || “the kingdom of God...is like leaven” (Luke 13:20)

“Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven” (Matt. 18:3-4) || “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein” (Mark 10:15)

“Allow little children, and do not forbid them to come to me, for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.” (Matt. 19:14) || “Allow the little children to come to me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:14 cp. Luke 18:16)

“a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of Heaven” (Matt. 19:23) || “How hardly shall they who have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” (Luke 18:24)

In other words, “kingdom of God” = “kingdom of Heaven.” If this is so, then “God” = “Heaven,” which leads us into my next point.

Taken from; What is the difference in the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God?

Doug said:

This comparison, you provided below, is exactly what I am saying;
“the kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17) || “the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15)

Matthew 4:17 says Kingdom of heaven Mark 1:15 says kingdom of God; both of these passages are referring to kingdom of heaven( Davidic kingdom on earth). Saying kingdom of God instead of kingdom of heaven does not mean they are the same. The kingdom of God includes the kingdom of heaven. Saying kingdom of God could be used instead of saying kingdom of heaven because the kingdom of God contains the kingdom of heaven.

Please indulge me for an example to illustrate;
I live in San Francisco, California
If I say I live in San Francisco
If I say I live in California
Does that make San Francisco and California the same ?

Matthew speaks of the kingdom of heaven. It is the Davidic kingdom on earth.

Paul speaks of heaven when he speaks of the kingdom of God in Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

The kingdom of God is the Davidic kingdom AND the heavenly places.

So if the Bible says the Kingdom of God it could be either one or both.

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Jesus denounced a physical kingdom claiming it is spiritual. Please consider the spiritual nature of the Kingdom:

“And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2) (KJV 1900)

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Matthew 11:12) (KJV 1900)

“Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” (Matthew 16:28) (KJV 1900)

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.” (1 Corinthians 15:50)

“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.” (John 3:3) (KJV 1900)

“Jesus answered, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)

“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” (John 18:36) (KJV 1900)

“And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:” (Luke 17:20) (KJV 1900)

“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21) (KJV 1900)

“But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has already overtaken you.” (Luke 11:20)

“because we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

“Now when the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus performed, they began to say to one another, “This is certainly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Then Jesus, because he knew they were going to come and seize him by force to make him king, withdrew again up the mountainside alone.” (John 6:14–15)

“He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves,” (Colossians 1:13)

“When Jesus saw that he answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question Him any longer.” (Mark 12:34) (HCSB)

“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17) (HCSB)