Matthew 18:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What does Christ communicate to them? He exposes their inner thoughts and addresses their emotions, not merely their spoken words. He called forth a young boy, declaring, "Except ye be converted, and be as this young man, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." You seek to determine who is greater, engaging in debates over rank. However, I tell you, "He that is not lower than all, is not worthy of the kingdom of heaven." He presents a splendid example. Not only does He illustrate it, but He also places a child in their presence, confronting them with what they observe. He encourages them to embody the humility and purity of a child, who is free from envy, vanity, and ambitions of superiority, possessing instead the admirable qualities of simplicity, peace, and meekness.

Recognizing that the disciples were consumed by ambition, the Lord guided them by illustrating the path of humility through a simple child. We are called to embrace childlike humility of spirit, yet not to adopt a childish mindset; we should embody innocence, yet not folly. By stating, "unless they be converted," He indicated that they must shift from a state of pride back to the essential virtue of humility. Thus, we must retrace our steps to that fundamental place of humility from which we have deviated.

The apostles are not instructed to revert to childhood in terms of their years, but rather in terms of purity. This means they should cultivate, through extensive practice, the innocence characteristic of children, and they ought to be childlike in their lack of malice, not in their understanding.

You inquire about the significance of rank in the Kingdom of Heaven, and I respond that unless you renounce deceit and malice and become as innocent as little ones, you will not be able to enter it. A child embodies simplicity, a carefree spirit, humility, and modesty; it lacks envy, jealousy, and a desire for superiority, and is generally unburdened by the desires of its own will—not through effort, but due to its inherent purity. Hence, if anyone masters the desires of their will, they will become like a child, achieving through actions what children naturally possess through their innocence.

The Lord calls for a childlike nature, not a regression to physical childhood as one might assume, as Nicodemus did (John 3:4). Instead, it involves a rejection of wickedness, enabling true simplicity akin to that of children within us. This is highlighted through His choice of words; He did not articulate it as ‘if you are not children,’ but rather “as children,” with the added nuance of imitation akin to that of children. How should we interpret the phrase, ‘Unless you are converted and become like children’ (Matthew 18:3)?

Pride and vanity are often accompanied by a subtle and frequently overlooked disdain for others. When individuals turn away from pride and vanity, as well as the humiliation and judgment of their neighbors, and embrace the innocence akin to that of children, God enables His followers to intimately understand the frailty and destruction inherent in humanity's fallen state. Such pride and vanity are completely contrary to the essence of Christianity; they are deeply offensive and antagonistic to the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Lord has mandated a transformation away from these behaviors, equating it to the renunciation of idolatry and a life of debauchery. Amen I say unto you, saith He, Except ye be converted, and be as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

The heart of a child serves as a model for us. Before the emergence of self-centered desires, children exemplify qualities worth emulating. What can we observe in them? They possess a vibrant, unwavering faith, unquestioning obedience, and genuine love. They live with a sense of ease and security in the embrace of their parents, displaying a youthful vitality and an eagerness to learn and grow. Above all, the Saviour highlights one key trait—humility: ‘whoever shall be humbled like this child, he shall be more in the kingdom of heaven.’ Genuine humility encompasses all virtues within it. It comes to fruition when the other virtues have fully developed in the heart, serving as their crowning glory. This encapsulates the profound mystery of the spiritual existence of our Lord Jesus Christ.

O my brethren, who can make us like children again? No one, only the One: Christ. He can make us children again and help us to be born again through His wisdom and the power of His Holy Spirit.

I tell you that anyone who is not humbled like the rest is unworthy of the kingdom of heaven. Truly, unless you shift from pride to humility, from falsehood to sincerity, unless you revise your misconceptions about my kingdom, relinquish your empty aspirations for positions of honor within it, and unless you embody the qualities of a child—not in age, but in the disposition of your heart—you will not only fail to attain the highest place, but you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven at all. The Lord illustrated this to His disciples by pointing to a child, completely free from passions, untouched by pride or vanity, envy or resentment. This child exemplifies numerous virtues, such as innocence and kindness, humility and serenity, without ever being boastful about them.

When the disciples of the Savior inquired, ‘Who is the Holy One in the Kingdom of Heaven?’ the Lord summoned a child, placed him among them, and declared, “Unless you turn and become like this child, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 18:1-3). "You pursue greatness and debate over who is superior. I affirm that anyone who does not humble themselves as the least among you is unworthy of the kingdom of heaven. The remarkable example set forth by the Lord encourages many to embrace humility and a pure heart. The child embodies neither jealousy, nor arrogance, nor a craving for dominance, but rather exemplifies the profound qualities of simplicity, kindness, and humility."