Matthew 18:2

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 18:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them,
Matthew 18:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them,

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Jesus called a little child unto him, etc.] One, very likely, that was in the house, and might belong to the master of it, and which was big enough to come to him at his call. Some have thought that this was Ignatius the martyr, but without any foundation. His own words, in his epistle to the church at Smyrna f986, can give no countenance to it; where he says, “for I also know, that after his resurrection he was in the flesh, and I believe that he is.” The Latin version indeed renders it thus; “for I also saw him in the flesh after the resurrection, and believe that he exists.” But it does not follow from hence that he must be this child, but rather the contrary; since it cannot be…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See also Mark 9:33-41; Luke 9:46-50. Who is the greatest in the kingdom, of heaven? - By the kingdom of heaven they meant the kingdom which they supposed he was about to set up - his kingdom as the Messiah. They asked the question because they supposed, in accordance with the common expectation of the Jews, that he was about to set up a temporal kingdom of great splendor, and they wished to know who should have the principal offices, and posts of honor and profit. This was among them a frequent subject of inquiry and controversy. Mark Mark 9:34 informs us that they had had a dispute on this subject in the way. Jesus, he says, inquired of them what they had been disputing about. Luke Luke…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Jesus calling to him a little child - This is supposed to have been the great Ignatius, whom Trajan, the wise, the good Emperor Trajan, condemned to be cast to the wild beasts at Rome! Mar 9:36; Luk 9:47. Matthew 18:3”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Mat 19:13, Mat 19:14; Kg1 3:7; Jer 1:7; Mar 9:36, Mar 9:37 Matthew 18:3”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification