The One Who Is Greatest In The Kingly Rule of Heaven Is The One Who Has Least Desire To Be So And Does Not Even Think About It (18:1-4).
The ‘disciples' here are the ones who have ‘gathered' ready to go to Jerusalem with Jesus (Matthew 17:22) and included among them little children. But it would be the twelve and their close compatriots who would approach Jesus with their question (as Mark makes very clear). They were the ones most concerned about their own position.
They were becoming more and more aware from what Jesus had said that in some way or other the Kingly Rule of God, which they had experienced in their lives, was soon to become established on a ‘grander' mode (compare Matthew 20:20-23). It was somehow to grow and become widespread (Matthew 18:13). And because of their Galilean background they probably thought of it in terms of an eventual military uprising led by Jesus (compare Acts 1:6). And they thus recognised from past history, that from being relative nonentities they would become very important, as had happened to the Maccabees in the previous successful uprising.
This must have seemed apparent to them from much of what He had said, (as interpreted by their background, for there was general widespread expectancy of a military Messiah), and although they did not fully understand its ramifications, they sensed by now that it was ‘at the door' and that they were to have an important part to play in it. And there is little doubt from their attitude here that they were looking forward to being important.
They had no doubt learned from an awed Peter of what had happened with regard to the Temple tax. That in itself was an indication to them that Jesus had in mind soon being freed from earthly obligations when as King and Messiah He took up His rightful position, (as it seemed that He would soon do), and they would then all seemingly be seen as part of ‘the Royal Family'. Then no one would be able to ask them for tax. They would be the ones who would do the taxing! So now they wanted to make sure that they did not miss out in the competition for the highest positions.
Initially they had not intended to approach Jesus about the matter. Somehow they had sensed that He might not approve. But they had certainly been discussing it among themselves (Mark 9:33-34). And the reason that their question came up at this point was because Jesus had asked them what it was they had been talking about on the way. Without realising it they had become like politicians, gathered around a new successful leader, vying for the best posts. So now, while trying not to make it too blatant, they wanted His advice on the best way of going about it. Of course this could be presented as being so that they could be worthy ministers. They would want Him to have the impression that they did not want to let Him down. But there is no doubt that it was also because they wanted to ensure that they did not lose out.
If they had taken in His words about humiliation, death and resurrection at all, it was probably because they were thinking in terms of a coming battle for the establishment of His Kingly Rule during which He would be captured, humiliated and executed, only to rise again and confound His enemies. Then the Lord's Anointed (‘Christos') would finally triumph with Israel over the nations (Psalms 2) and they would share His triumph. So the question now was, who was the greatest among them? Or alternately, how could they become the greatest? And the following question then would have been, where did each one of them fit into the picture? How were they doing? Only Jesus' first answer did not somehow seem to encourage that.
Analysis.
a In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest within the Kingly Rule of Heaven?” (Matthew 18:1).
b And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them (Matthew 18:2).
c And said, “Truly I say to you, Unless you have been turned, and have become as little children, you will in no way have entered into the Kingly Rule of Heaven (Matthew 18:3).
b Whoever therefore has humbled himself as this little child (Matthew 18:4 a).
a The same is the greatest in the Kingly Rule of Heaven (Matthew 18:4 b).
Note that in ‘a' the question is as to who is the greatest within the Kingly Rule of Heaven and in the parallel the answer is that it is the one with the humble attitude of a little child believer. In ‘b' the child is set among them, and in the parallel he is the example of the humility required. In ‘c' it is stressed that only by being made like this can a man even enter the Kingly Rule of Heaven.