Discovery BoxLuke 18:16-17 
Context18:16 But Jesus called for the children, 1 saying, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of God 2 belongs to such as these. 3 18:17 I tell you the truth, 4 whoever does not receive 5 the kingdom of God like a child 6 will never 7 enter it.”
1 tn Grk “summoned them”; the referent (the children) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
2 sn The kingdom of God is a major theme of Jesus. It is a realm in which Jesus rules and to which those who trust him belong. See Luke 6:20; 11:20; 17:20-21.
3 sn The kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Children are a picture of those whose simple trust illustrates what faith is all about. The remark illustrates how everyone is important to God, even those whom others regard as insignificant.
4 tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”
5 sn On receive see John 1:12.
6 sn The point of the comparison receive the kingdom of God like a child has more to do with a child’s trusting spirit and willingness to be dependent and receive from others than any inherent humility the child might possess.
7 tn The negation in Greek used here (οὐ μή, ou mh) is very strong.
