What were the disciples arguing about when Jesus corrected them?

The disciples were arguing about which one of them would be the greatest. They were thinking in terms of an earthly kingdom, where there would be high positions and important titles. They were not talking about who would be holier or more loving, but who would have the top place when they thought Jesus would rule in glory. This shows their pride and desire for honour. Jesus knew their thoughts, even though they did not say them to him, and he used this moment to teach them what greatness really looks like in his kingdom.

Why did Jesus set a child beside him to teach about greatness?

Jesus took a child and set the child by him, in the middle of the disciples, to give them a clear picture. A child in that culture had no status, power, or claim to honour. By pointing to the child, Jesus showed that his followers should be humble, gentle, and not chasing after high positions. He said that whoever receives such a child in his name actually receives him, and receiving him means receiving the One who sent him. This means that caring for humble, lowly believers and servants is how true greatness and honour before God are shown.

What does “he that is least among you all, the same shall be great” mean?

This line turns the usual way of thinking upside down. In this world, people try to climb higher than others, but Jesus says the one who is least among his followers will be great. This does not mean pretending to be small while secretly craving praise. It points to someone who truly sees himself as small, is willing to take the low place, and serves without seeking notice. God honours this kind of person. In Jesus’ kingdom, the path to being great in God’s eyes is choosing humility, not pushing oneself ahead of others.

What does it mean to receive a child in Jesus’ name and so receive him?

Receiving a child in Jesus’ name means welcoming, caring for, and honouring someone who is weak and lowly because they belong to Jesus and come in his name. Jesus ties himself so closely to his humble followers that kindness shown to them is counted as kindness to him. He goes even further and says that whoever receives him also receives the One who sent him, meaning God the Father. So opening your heart and life to those who are like that child, especially those who serve quietly for Jesus, is a real way of welcoming Jesus and honouring God.

Why did John try to stop the man casting out demons in Jesus’ name?

John told Jesus that they had seen someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name and that they had forbidden him because “he followeth not with us.” In other words, this man was not part of their close group of disciples. He did not travel with them or share their circle, so they thought he should not be doing that work, even though he used Jesus’ name and was freeing people from evil spirits. Their action shows a narrow spirit, as if only their small group could truly serve Jesus. Jesus corrected this by telling them not to forbid him.

What did Jesus mean by “he that is not against us is for us”?

When Jesus said, “he that is not against us is for us,” he was speaking about the man who cast out demons in his name but was not part of the disciples’ circle. The man was working in Jesus’ name and pushing back the power of evil, not fighting against Jesus or his work. Jesus is saying that if someone is not opposing him, but actually helping his cause, they are on his side, even if they are not in the same group. This teaches that there can be real servants of Christ who do not walk closely with us in every way, yet still belong to him.

How does this passage correct pride and group jealousy among believers?

This passage corrects two heart problems at once. First, the disciples’ argument about who would be greatest shows pride and a craving for recognition. Jesus answers that by pointing to a child and saying that the least will be great, teaching them to seek the low place. Second, John’s report about stopping the man who cast out demons in Jesus’ name shows jealousy and a narrow spirit toward someone outside their circle. Jesus tells them not to forbid him, because he is not against them. Together, these lessons warn against both self-importance and harshness toward other servants of Christ.

What was happening around Jesus when he taught about being least and about the other exorcist?

This teaching comes right after people had been amazed at Jesus’ mighty works. Even with such clear signs of God’s power, the disciples were still thinking about a worldly kingdom and their place in it. As they travelled, they argued about who would be greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, used a child to show the kind of lowly heart he values. Then John spoke up about someone they had seen casting out demons in Jesus’ name, whom they had tried to stop. So the whole scene shows Jesus gently correcting their pride and their narrow view of who can serve him.

How can a follower of Jesus today live out this teaching on greatness?

A follower of Jesus lives out this teaching by choosing humility instead of pushing for status. That means being ready to take quiet, unseen tasks, treating lowly and weak people with honour, and seeing service itself as a gift, not a step to fame. It also means recognising that other Christians who do not belong to our group or tradition can truly serve Jesus in his name. Instead of trying to stop them, we can thank God for any real work that helps people and lifts up Christ. In both ways, we aim to be “least” so that God is the one who gives honour.

Luke.9.46

Luke 9:46

KJV

Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

The Greatest in the Kingdom

The Test of Greatness

46 Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.

And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.

And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.