Matthew 18:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Human emotions were evident among the disciples. The evangelist notes this when he mentions, ‘In that hour,’ referring to the moment when Christ chose Peter above the others. Although James was the first-born, Jesus did not extend that same honor to him. They were reluctant to express their feelings of jealousy openly, avoiding the direct question of, ‘Why have You chosen Peter over us? Is he superior to us?’ Instead, they inquired vaguely, ‘Who is greater than he?’ When Jesus honored the three of them, they did not exhibit such feelings. However, when recognition was granted to just one, they felt disheartened. Additionally, various other factors contributed to their agitation. Jesus had once told Peter, ‘I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.

Observing the honor bestowed upon Peter by Christ—evidenced in the command for him to offer a tribute on behalf of both Christ and himself—those individuals felt a glimpse of human nature. Fueled by jealousy, they covertly approached, inquiring of the Lord, “Who is greater?”

In this context, it is important to highlight my previous observations regarding the need to explore the significance behind the Lord's specific words and actions. After discovering the coin and settling the tax, one might question the sudden inquiry of the apostles: At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Recognizing that the same tax was paid for both Peter and the Lord, they mistakenly concluded that Peter held a superior position among the apostles, as he was deemed equal in the payment of the tax to the Lord Himself.

The disciples encountered an aspect of humanity during their time with Christ. Observing that Peter was favored despite James being his elder and the presence of others, they felt a sense of sorrow yet were reluctant to admit their feelings. They inquired of the Master, uncertainly asking, "Which of them is greater?" Their feelings encompassed more than just this one sentiment. Even before the Lord had referred to Peter as blessed and made him promises, the courage displayed by Peter sparked jealousy among the disciples. The Gospel of Mark (Mk. 9:34) notes that initially they debated among themselves about who was the greatest, a sentiment echoed by Luke (Lk. 9:46).

As the disciples journeyed towards Capernaum, they found themselves in a dispute, debating amongst themselves who among them might hold a greater position in the kingdom of heaven. The Lord chose not to chastise their ambition in front of others; however, when He again demonstrated His particular regard for Peter by instructing him to pay the temple taxes using the miraculous coin from the fish, their ambition flared up once more. At that moment, St. Matthew recounts that the disciples approached Jesus and inquired, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" St.

As the apostles followed their Lord to Capernaum, they drifted some distance away and engaged in a debate among themselves. Upon arriving in Capernaum, Jesus inquired, “What were you discussing on the journey?” (Mark 9:33). They remained silent, feeling embarrassed to admit that their conversation revolved around who among them held the highest status. In response, Jesus instructed them, “Whoever desires to be first must be the last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35). Aware that their thoughts were not concealed from Him, the apostles turned to Him seeking clarity on their confusion and posed the question: Who holds the greatest status in the Kingdom of Heaven?

The disciples, influenced by the remarkable events they had witnessed alongside the weighty messages and serious foretellings they received, could not shake the feeling that a significant transformation was impending for their Lord. The moment for His earthly glorification had yet to arrive, a time when He would cease being the humble instructor they had known and would reveal Himself with all the grandeur befitting the Messiah their people anticipated, establishing a magnificent and triumphant reign. This prospect exhilarated their hearts but also stirred up their existing biases, leading them to be anxious about obtaining favorable positions within the soon-to-be-launched kingdom of the Messiah.

At that moment, specifically at that hour, when Jesus Christ favored Peter above all others by instructing that a tribute be paid for both Himself and Peter, the apostles posed the question of who would hold greater status in the kingdom of heaven. Their inquiry stemmed from a Jewish mindset of that era, anticipating that the Messiah would establish a formidable earthly dominion akin to worldly empires, where similar honors would be granted. The term “greater” indicated a position of elevated authority and power compared to others. The apostles used the present tense, indicating their belief that the kingdom of heaven, or the Messianic reign, was already manifested, which added an additional layer of perplexity to their question.