"At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (2) And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, (3) 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. (4) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (5) And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. (6) But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
It is more than probable, the disciples, looking forward to a temporal kingdom, of their Master, (for it is most certain at this time and long after, they thought of no other; see Acts 1:6.) had often been parcelling out for themselves, some of the highest departments in it. Mark 9:33-34. Hence the method our Lord took to correct their error, was as gentle and affectionate, as it was wise and conclusive. Among the old writers, it was conjectured that this little child, was Ignatius. But there is no warrant for the conclusion. This ancient father hath indeed, in his Latin Epistle to the Church at Smyrna, said, that "he saw Christ in the flesh, after his resurrection:" but this doth by no means warrant the former account of his being the child, which the Lord set in the midst of his disciples. But it is very blessed, (and the Reader I hope will not lose sight of it), on what the Lord places the truest qualification for an entrance into his kingdom; namely, the conversion of the heart to God. For this proves an union with Christ, in the regeneration of the soul by God the Holy Ghost and to offend one of Christ's little ones so regenerated; by despising them as Christ's, and to make light of the Spirit's work in their heart, subjects the despiser to everlasting misery. John 3:3; Galatians 4:6; Matthew 10:40-42.