Luk 9:46-48 | RWP | e4.org | A reasoning ( διαλογισμος ). A dispute. The word is from διαλογιζομα , the verb used in about this incident. In Luke this dispute follows immediately after the words of Jesus about his death. They were afraid to ask Jesus about that subject, but states that they came to Jesus to settle it. Which of them should be greatest ( το τις αν ειη μειζων αυτων ). Note the article with the indirect question, the clause being in the accusative of general reference. The optative with αν is here because it was so in the direct question (potential optative with αν retained in the indirect). But Luke makes it plain that it was not an abstract problem about greatness in the kingdom of heaven as they put it to Jesus ( ), but a personal problem in their own group. Rivalries and jealousies had already come and now sharp words. By and by James and John will be bold enough to ask for the first places for themselves in this political kingdom which they expect ( ; ). It is a sad spectacle.

‏ Luke 9:46-48

A reasoning ( διαλογισμος ). A dispute. The word is from διαλογιζομα, the verb used in Mr 9:33 about this incident. In Luke this dispute follows immediately after the words of Jesus about his death. They were afraid to ask Jesus about that subject, but Mt 18:1 states that they came to Jesus to settle it.

Which of them should be greatest ( το τις αν ειη μειζων αυτων ). Note the article with the indirect question, the clause being in the accusative of general reference. The optative with αν is here because it was so in the direct question (potential optative with αν retained in the indirect). But Luke makes it plain that it was not an abstract problem about greatness in the kingdom of heaven as they put it to Jesus (Mt 18:1), but a personal problem in their own group. Rivalries and jealousies had already come and now sharp words. By and by James and John will be bold enough to ask for the first places for themselves in this political kingdom which they expect (Mr 10:35; Mt 20:20). It is a sad spectacle.

Took a little child ( επιλαβομενος παιδιον ). Second aorist middle participle of the common verb επιλαμβανω. Strictly, Taking a little child to himself (indirect middle). Mr 9:36 has merely the active λαβων of the simple verb λαμβανω. Set him by his side ( εστησεν αυτο παρ' εαυτω ). "In his arms" Mr 9:36 has it, "in the midst of them" Mt 18:3 says. All three attitudes following one another (the disciples probably in a circle around Jesus anyhow) and now the little child (Peter's child?) was slipped down by the side of Jesus as he gave the disciples an object lesson in humility which they sorely needed.

This little child ( τουτο το παιδιον ). As Jesus spoke he probably had his hand upon the head of the child. Mt 18:5 has "one such little child." The honoured disciple, Jesus holds, is the one who welcomes little children "in my name" ( επ τω ονοματ μου ), upon the basis of my name and my authority. It was a home-thrust against the selfish ambition of the Twelve. Ministry to children is a mark of greatness. Have preachers ever yet learned how to win children to Christ? They are allowed to slip away from home, from Sunday school, from church, from Christ.

For he that is least among you all ( ο γαρ μικροτερος εν πασιν υμιν υπαρχων ). Note the use of υπαρχω as in 8:41; 23:50. The comparative μικροτερος is in accord with the Koine idiom where the superlative is vanishing (nearly gone in modern Greek). But

great ( μεγας ) is positive and very strong. This saying peculiar to Luke here.