Matthew 18:3
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And said, Truly I say to you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And said, Truly I say to you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
American Standard Version (ASV)
and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And said, Truly, I say to you, If you do not have a change of heart and become like little children, you will not go into the kingdom of heaven.
Webster's Revision
And said, Verily I say to you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
World English Bible
and said, "Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
English Revised Version (ERV)
and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Definitions for Matthew 18:3
Clarke's Matthew 18:3 Bible Commentary
Except ye be converted - Unless ye be saved from those prejudices which are at present so baneful to your nation, (seeking a temporal and not a spiritual kingdom), unless ye be clothed with the spirit of humility, ye cannot enter into the spirit, design, and privileges of my spiritual and eternal kingdom. The name of this kingdom should put you in mind of its nature. -
1. The King is heavenly;
2. His Subjects are heavenly-minded;
3. Their Country is heavenly, for they are strangers and pilgrims upon earth;
4. The Government of this kingdom is wholly spiritual and divine.
See on Matthew 3:2 (note).
And become as little children - i.e. Be as truly without worldly ambition, and the lust of power, as little children are, who act among themselves as if all were equal. The following saying from the Boostan of the poet Saady is very appropriate. "The hearts of infants being free from avarice, what care they for a handful of silver more than for a handful of dust?"
Wesley's Matthew 18:3 Bible Commentary
18:3 Except ye be converted - The first step toward entering into the kingdom of grace, is to become as little children: lowly in heart, knowing yourselves utterly ignorant and helpless, and hanging wholly on your Father who is in heaven, for a supply of all your wants. We may farther assert, (though it is doubtful whether this text implies so much,) except ye be turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God:, except ye be entirely, inwardly changed, renewed in the image of God, ye cannot enter into the kingdom of glory. Thus must every man be converted in this life, or he can never enter into life eternal. Ye shall in no wise enter - So far from being great in it. Matt 19:14.