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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_18:1-6
1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2And he called a child to Himself and set him before them, 3and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; 6but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Mat_18:1 "the disciples came to Jesus" This shows that Jesus was speaking to believers, not unbelievers!
▣ "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven" This question set the stage for all that followed. See Mar_9:33-34; Luk_9:46-48. The question showed that the disciples still radically misunderstood the nature of the kingdom. It also shows that the disciples did not consider Peter as greatest!
Mat_18:2 "a child" Mar_9:33 suggests that this was Peter's child.
Mat_18:3 "Truly" See Special Topic at Mat_5:18.
▣ "unless you are converted" "Convert" denotes a conversion experience whereby an inner repentance is expressed in a change of lifestyle (NRSV, NJB). In Joh_12:40 this word is used to translate Isa_6:10, where it refers to "repentance" (Hebrew shub, BDB 996). Notice that in Mat_18:4 "humility" is parallel with "convert." Children innocently trust and depend on others. They are readily teachable and obedient to authority (here divine authority).
This is an aorist passive subjunctive. The aorist tense implied a decisive act, while the subjunctive mood showed there was an element of contingency and choice involved. The passive voice implied God's initiative (cf. Joh_6:44; Joh_6:65).
▣ "you will not enter the kingdom of heaven" This is a STRONG DOUBLE negative meaning, "never, no never under any circumstances." Also note that entrance into the Kingdom is immediate! Trusting Jesus and His message is tantamount to entering to new age! The Kingdom was available to all who heard and responded to Jesus.
Mat_18:3-4; Mat_18:6 "and become like children. . .child. . .one of these little ones" These statements all relate to new, innocent, immature believing adults, and not to children. However, the trusting dependence of children is the proper attitude for adults.
18:,34 "you will not enter into the kingdom. . .of heaven" In context this referred to (1) how someone comes to Christ and (2) how one continues in Christ.
Mat_18:5 This is similar to the emphasis of Mat_10:40. Also notice Mat_25:35-45; Luk_10:16; Act_9:4; and 1Co_8:12. Jesus is fully identified with His followers!
Mat_18:6 "it would be better" Death, though traumatic, is a one-time event, but judgment has eternal consequences (cf. Mat_25:31-46).
Another "it would have been better" statement is found in 2Pe_2:20-22.
▣ "a heavy millstone" This referred to the large top stone pulled by animals for grinding grain.
▣ "to be drowned in the depth of the sea" The Jews were fearful of water, as are many desert people. Therefore, this phrase related to a terrible physical death which was better than leading new believers to sin (cf. Mat_18:8-10; Romans 14). See hyperlinks at Mat_5:12.