Matthew 18:3 ““Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little…”

Matthew 18:3

“Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

And said, Verily I say unto 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.

American Standard Version

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.

Geneva Bible 1599

And sayd, Verely I say vnto you, except ye be conuerted, and become as litle children, ye shall not enter into the kingdome of heauen.

Darby Translation

and said, Verily I say to you, Unless ye are converted and become as little children, ye will not at all enter into the kingdom of the heavens.

Young's Literal Translation

and said, 'Verily I say to you, if ye may not be turned and become as the children, ye may not enter into the reign of the heavens;

Bible in Basic English

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.

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Cross references

“Verily”

John 3:3 John 1:51 Matthew 6:5 Matthew 6:16 Matthew 6:2 Matthew 5:18

John 3:3 · BSB

Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. ”

John 1:51 · BSB

Then He declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Matthew 6:5 · BSB

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.

Matthew 6:16 · BSB

When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.

Matthew 6:2 · BSB

So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.

Matthew 5:18 · BSB

For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

“Except”

Psalm 131:2 Psalm 51:10–13 Acts 3:19 Luke 22:32 Acts 28:27 Mark 4:12

Psalm 131:2 · BSB

Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

Psalm 51:10–13 · BSB

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Acts 3:19 · BSB

Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,

Luke 22:32 · BSB

But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Acts 28:27 · BSB

For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I…

Mark 4:12 · BSB

so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven.’ ”

“and become”

1 Peter 2:2 1 Corinthians 14:20 Mark 10:14 Mark 10:15 Luke 18:16 Luke 18:17

1 Peter 2:2 · BSB

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

1 Corinthians 14:20 · BSB

Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

Mark 10:14 · BSB

But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Mark 10:15 · BSB

Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Luke 18:16 · BSB

But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Luke 18:17 · BSB

Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

“enter”

John 3:5 Luke 13:24 Matthew 5:20 2 Peter 1:11 Matthew 19:23 Acts 14:22

John 3:5 · BSB

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.

Luke 13:24 · BSB

“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.

Matthew 5:20 · BSB

For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

2 Peter 1:11 · BSB

and you will receive a lavish reception into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Matthew 19:23 · BSB

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

Acts 14:22 · BSB

strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

Also

Matthew 19:14

Matthew 19:14 · BSB

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

2Jesus invited a little child to stand among them.

4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Read Matthew 18