And there entered a thought into them, which of them should be greater.
εισηλθεν δε διαλογισμος εν αυτοις το τις αν ειη μειζων αυτων
10 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 11 commentaries
The apostles were captivated by a desire for vain glory. This desire appears to have been ignited by their inability to heal the boy afflicted by demons. Likely during this event, they found themselves in conflict, each asserting that the child's lack of healing was not due to their own inability but rather the inadequacy of another.
You who are passionate about spiritual growth and yearn for communion with divine truths, embrace once more what you cherish. It is not an earthly instructor guiding you toward a fruitful pursuit, nor someone like ourselves whom you might regard as a leader, but rather the Word of God, who descended from on high, from heaven itself, and is the genuine light of both heaven and earth. All rational creation is illuminated by Him, for He is the source of all wisdom and understanding. Through Him, we acquire comprehensive knowledge of righteousness and the complete capability to perform good deeds suitable for the saints.
As Scripture declares, ‘we are taught of God.’ This very statement confirms what I assert: ‘For there entered,’ it says, “a meditation among them: ---- that is, among the holy apostles, ---- ”about who among them is the greatest. And let it be known to anyone who presumes that Jesus was merely a man that such a belief is misguided and far from reality. For even though the Word of God became flesh, He retained His divine nature and remained God. The ability to scrutinize hearts and minds, to understand their secrets, belongs solely to the supreme God, with no other being capable of this. Yet Christ probes the thoughts of the holy apostles and perceives their innermost sentiments with divine insight. Thus, He is truly God, being magnificently and divinely esteemed.
Now, let us reflect on whether all the blessed disciples were struck by this thought simultaneously. Did they all experience this concern at once? It seems implausible to suggest that they all, without exception, became victims of the same thought simultaneously; instead, I believe it happened to one, the insightful evangelist, who, to avoid singling out any disciple and placing blame, speaks generically, stating, ‘And a thought entered into them, which of them was chief.’ This reveals how subtly Satan orchestrates mischief. For this serpent is both clever and multifaceted, plotting against those whose hearts are set on a virtuous life and who earnestly seek greater holiness; and if he can entice anyone through earthly pleasures, he aggressively heightens the allure of sensuality, dragging even the most steadfast spirits down to base desires. However, if someone is brave and evades these traps, Satan concocts alternative schemes to tempt them with mental distress. He sows discontent where it is unwelcome: and within those who possess noble virtues, he stirs the fire of vanity, gradually leading them to despicable arrogance. Just as warriors equipped to defend against invaders employ various strategies—whether by releasing arrows from bows, hurling stones from slings, or boldly engaging with drawn swords—so too does Satan wield an array of tactics, waging war against the saints through a multitude of sins.
Thus, the desire for prestige and recognition afflicted one of the holy apostles, for the very contention over who ranks highest among them signifies the ambition of one eager to lead the rest. However, Christ, the Deliverer, was not unaware; He discerned this thought rising within the disciple's heart, taking root like a bitter weed as foretold in Scripture: He perceived the harmful work of the evil sower; and before it was allowed to flourish, before it established strong roots and fully seized the heart, He skillfully uprooted the wickedness. He recognized the adversary’s arrow that had penetrated, and before it could take effect and pierce the mind, He provided a remedy. For when passions are still emerging within us, likened to infancy, they can be easily subdued. But when they have matured and gained strength, they become challenging to eradicate and present a bold front. Therefore, a wise saying states: ‘If the spirit of a ruler rises up against you, do not forsake your place, for yielding cures many sins.’
The holy apostles were ensnared by vanity, passion, and pride. Debating about their relative worthiness illustrates a self-centered individual eager to elevate himself above others. Christ, who is ever watchful, possesses the wisdom to address this. He perceived the intentions hidden within their hearts, as described in Scripture, which can bloom like a toxic weed. He recognized the tares sown by the adversary. Before the falsehood takes deep root, grows strong, and seizes the heart, He skillfully uproots the malevolence at its source. How does the Savior of souls eliminate the affliction of pride? In what manner does He liberate His cherished disciples from the clutches of the evil one, and from what is repugnant to both God and humanity?
The account narrates how He took a child and placed him before Himself. This act served to inspire not only the holy apostles but also us, their disciples. This affliction tends to afflict those who see themselves as superior to others.
What was the intention behind His choice of a child? By presenting the child, He exemplified a life characterized by innocence and humility. The child’s mind is untainted by deceit, and his heart is pure. His thoughts lack guile. He holds no ambition for status, nor does he grasp the concept of one individual being greater than another. Christ demonstrated that He embraces and treasures those who embody childlike qualities. He deems them worthy of companionship and encourages them to follow in His footsteps.
In the thirty-seventh chapter, Matthew recounts that when the disciples arrived, they inquired about the matter. It is likely that, being aware of their thoughts, He questioned them regarding their discussions during their journey, as noted by Mark. Eventually, they, recognizing that He knew of their contemplation, posed the question to Him. Jesus then took the child who was present, positioned it before Himself, and shared additional teachings. While Matthew mentions that the disciples asked Him, Mark and Luke do not include this detail, instead highlighting His awareness of their reflections. The first offers insight into what occurred later, while the latter two focus on earlier events. Therefore, examine the entirety of Matthew’s Gospel in this chapter for a necessary and thorough understanding.
As they traveled toward Capernaum, a discussion arose among the apostles regarding who among them was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. The origins of this question and the one who initiated it are not clear. However, it can be speculated that the conversation was triggered by the distinction the Lord had made among certain apostles, particularly following the recent elevation of Peter, James, and John to share in a moment of prayer in solitude with Him. What began as a discussion evolved into a contention, revealing that some among them sought to exalt their own virtues excessively.
The Lord, perhaps mindful of the presence of outsiders, did not engage with their conversation or admonish them at that moment, choosing instead to address the folly of their self-promotion more forcefully at a later time. Once they were alone, the Lord broached the topic that had preoccupied them during their journey, seeking their honest acknowledgment. The ones at fault were hesitant to respond, realizing that the Lord was well aware of their thoughts, just as He understood that Peter had made an inappropriate commitment without His consent (Matt. 17:24).
In the Gospel of Luke, it is noted that Jesus, understanding the intentions of His disciples’ hearts, imparted to them the teaching of humility. As recorded by Mark, when Christ arrived at a house in Capernaum, He inquired about their discussions. When they remained silent, feeling embarrassed to admit that they had been arguing over who was the greatest, He began to instruct them on the importance of humility. Furthermore, Matthew recounts how the disciples approached Jesus to ask, "Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" There seems to be no conflict between Luke and Mark's accounts. It is quite possible that after an initial period of silence, one disciple gathered the courage to ask the question that was on all their minds.
In response, Jesus, as Mark notes, initially established the foundational principle of relationships within His new kingdom: whoever desires to be first must be last, serving everyone. He then took a child and embraced it, illustrating that the likeness to children—in their simplicity, lack of self-importance, and unawareness of social status—is the essential Christian virtue required of true members of the kingdom of heaven. Following this, He instructed the apostles on how to treat children, emphasizing that whoever welcomes a child in His name—because of their belief in Him as members of His kingdom—welcomes Him.
In this statement, Christ also references the natural child, who represents the weakest among us and has yet to earn merit in the eyes of God through righteous deeds. More importantly, He directs the apostles' attitudes toward spiritual children, new believers who, like natural children, are often frail in their faith and have not yet matured in their expressions of piety.
As the apostles followed their Lord to Capernaum, they fell behind and engaged in a debate. Upon arriving in Capernaum, Jesus inquired, ‘What were you discussing among yourselves on the way? (Mark 9:33). They remained silent, feeling embarrassed to admit that their conversation revolved around who among them was the greatest. However, Jesus responded, ‘If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all (Mark 9:35). Realizing that their thoughts were laid bare before Him, the apostles turned to Jesus seeking clarity on their confusion, asking: Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven? Caught in their Jewish perspectives on the Messiah's Kingdom, they equated it with earthly realms and were curious about their standings and positions within it.
Although they had been taught that true greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who humbly serve others and take the position of a servant, they clearly misunderstood this teaching, as they approached Jesus to ask: Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?
Based on the experiences they had undergone and the profound teachings and solemn forecasts accompanying them, the disciples were convinced that a significant transformation in their Master's fate was imminent. The moment for His earthly glorification had yet to arrive, a time when He would transcend His role as the humble teacher they had known, revealing Himself in the full glory befitting the Messiah their people anticipated, thereby establishing a magnificent and divine kingdom. While this prospect exhilarated their hearts, it simultaneously sparked the biases typical among the populace, leading them to ponder their positions within the soon-to-be-unveiled Messiah’s kingdom. Even as they journeyed to Capernaum, a contention emerged among them regarding who would hold the highest rank in the kingdom of heaven.
The teaching of the Lord regarding humility can be found in the Gospel of Luke. This account is more concise compared to the version in the Gospel of Mark. While Luke provides a briefer overview in general, it offers more detail in certain respects than what is presented in Matthew. For additional insights, refer to the notes on Matthew 18:1-5 and Mark 9:33-41. Additionally, for a deeper understanding of "seeing the thoughts of their heart," consult the note on Mark 9:33-34.
They pondered among themselves about who might be the greatest, as the Savior had just mentioned that the Son of Man would be betrayed into the hands of others.
The disciples, as Blessed Theophylact observes, were still burdened by ‘human thoughts’ and engaged in a conversation among themselves during their journey, which led the compassionate Lord to impart a significant moral lesson. Once they reached the house, they approached the Lord with a question: ‘Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?’ Aware of their ambitious inclinations, Jesus cautioned them by asking, “What are you discussing among yourselves on the way?” They fell silent, feeling embarrassed to admit they had debated who among them held the greatest status. The Lord then sat down, called the twelve apostles to Him, and expressed, “Whoever desires to be first must become the least of all and a servant to all.” This instruction, later more fully articulated by Jesus (Matt.
20:25-28), acknowledges the presence of different ranks within His Church, which He Himself has established (Eph. 4:11). While it does not forbid a longing for greater honor, it emphasizes that such recognition should not come at the expense of others, instead encouraging the pursuit of elevation through humility.
To clarify His message of humility, the Lord took a child, placed it among them, and, embracing it, said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” According to St. John Chrysostom, the child possesses no envy, pride, or craving for dominance, but rather embodies the profound virtues of simplicity, innocence, and humility. These traits, inherent to a child’s untainted spirit, attain moral significance in the life of an adult, forming the essential foundation for spiritual existence. The Lord continued, stating that “whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” Those who embrace the humility, innocence, and childlike simplicity of a pure and honest soul are the genuine disciples of Christ's teachings. Jesus further explained that “whoever receives one child such as this in My name, receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me, but Him who sent Me; for he who is least among you all, he is great.”
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 11 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS