Matthew 18:3

“And said, verily I say unto you, etc.] You may take it for a certain truth, and what may be depended upon, that except ye be converted or turned; from that gross notion of a temporal kingdom, and of enjoying great grandeur, and outward felicity in this world; and from all your vain views of honour, wealth, and riches, and become as little children: the Arabic renders it, “as this child”; that is, unless ye learn to entertain an humble, and modest opinion of yourselves, are not envious at one another, and drop all contentions about primacy and pre-eminence, and all your ambitious views of one being greater than another, in a vainly expected temporal kingdom; things which are not to be found…”

“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…”

“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. Mat 19:14.…”

“18:3 Like little children means to be humble (18:4). The disciples had been intent on status and ambition.”

“Verily: Mat 5:18, Mat 6:2, Mat 6:5, Mat 6:16; Joh 1:51, Joh 3:3 Except: Mat 13:15; Psa 51:10-13, Psa 131:2; Isa 6:10; Mar 4:12; Luk 22:32; Act 3:19; Act 28:27; Jam 5:19, Jam 5:20 and become: Mar 10:14, Mar 10:15; Luk 18:16, Luk 18:17; Co1 14:20; Pe1 2:2 enter: Mat 5:20, Mat 19:23; Luk 13:24; Joh 3:5; Act 14:22; Pe2 1:11 Matthew 18:4”