LUKE 9:48 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) [ref]and told them, “Anyone who accepts a young child in my name is accepting me, and anyone who accepts me is accepted by the one who sent me here. Because it’s the person who is the least among you who’s at the top.”

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name, receives me, and whoever receives me, receives the one having sent me. For the one being least among you all, he is great.”

UST He said to them, “If someone welcomes a little child like this one because of me, it is the same as welcoming me. And if someone welcomes me, it is the same as welcoming God, who sent me. Remember that those among you who seem to be the least important are the ones whom God considers to be most important.”

BSB And He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the [One who] sent Me. For whoever is [the] least among all of you, he is [the] greatest.”

MSB And He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the [One who] sent Me. For whoever is [the] least among all of you, he will be[fn] [the] greatest.”

BLB and He said to them, "Whoever shall receive this child in My name, receives Me; and whoever shall receive Me, receives the One having sent Me. For the one being least among you all, he shall be great."

AICNT and said [to them],[fn] “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me; and [whoever receives me, receives][fn] the one who sent me; for the one who is least among all of you, this one {is}[fn] great.”

9:48, to them: Absent from some manuscripts. 𝔓45 D(05) Latin(a b e ff²) Syriac(sy^s sy^c)

9:48, whoever receives me, receives: Absent from D(05).

9:48, is: 𝔓45 𝔓75 ℵ(01) B(03) C(04) NA28 SBLGNT THGNT ‖ Some manuscripts read “will be.” A(02) D(05) W(032) BYZ TR

OEB and then said to them, ‘Anyone who, for the sake of my name, welcomes even this little child is welcoming me; and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming him who sent me as his messenger. For whoever is least among you all – that person is great.’

WEBBE and said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me. Whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For whoever is least amongst you all, this one will be great.”

WMBB (Same as above)

NET and said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me, for the one who is least among you all is the one who is great.”

LSV and said to them, “Whoever may receive this child in My Name, receives Me, and whoever may receive Me, receives Him who sent Me, for he who is least among you all—he will be great.”

FBV Then he said to them, “Anyone who accepts this little child in my name accepts me, and anyone who accepts me accepts the one who sent me. Whoever is least among you all is the greatest.”

TCNT Then he said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who [fn]will be great.”

9:48 will be ¦ is ANT CT

T4T He said to the disciples, “Those who, because they love me, (OR, because they want to behave like me) welcome a little child ◄like this one/as I would► [MTY], God considers that [MET] they are welcoming me. And those who welcome me, God considers that [MET] they are welcoming him, the one who sent me. Remember that those among you who think of themselves as being very unimportant will be the ones whom God considers to be great.”

LEB and said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For the one who is least among you all—this one is great.”

BBE And said to them, Whoever gives honour to this child in my name, gives honour to me: and whoever gives honour to me, gives honour to him who sent me: for whoever is least among you all, that man is great.

Moff then he said to them,
⇔ "Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me,
⇔ and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.
⇔ For it is the lowliest of you all who is great."

Wymth and said to them, "Whoever for my sake receives this little child, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives Him who sent me. For the lowliest among you all—he is the greatest."

ASV and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little 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 is great.

DRA And said to 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 the lesser among you all, he is the greater.

YLT and said to them, 'Whoever may receive this child in my name, doth receive me, and whoever may receive me, doth receive Him who sent me, for he who is least among you all — he shall be great.'

Drby and said to them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receives me, and whosoever shall receive me receives him that sent me. For he who is the least among you all, he is great.

RV and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little 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 is great.

SLT And he said to them, Whoever should receive this child in my name receives me: and whoever should receive me, receives him having sent me: for he being less among you all, the same shall be great.

Wbstr And said to them, Whoever shall receive this child in my name, receiveth me; and whoever shall receive me, receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

KJB-1769 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.

KJB-1611 And said vnto them, Whosoeuer shall receiue this child in my Name, receiueth me: and whosoeuer shal receiue me, receiueth him that sent me: For hee that is least among you all, the same shalbe great.
(And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my Name, receives me: and whosoever shall receive me, receives him that sent me: For he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.)

Bshps And sayde vnto them: Whosoeuer receaueth this chylde in my name, receaueth me: And whosoeuer receaueth me, receaueth him that sent me. For he that is least among you all, the same shalbe great.
(And said unto them: Whosoever receives this child in my name, receives me: And whosoever receives me, receives him that sent me. For he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.)

Gnva And said vnto them, Whosoeuer receiueth this litle childe in my Name, receiueth me: and whosoeuer shall receiue me, receiueth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, he shall be great.
(And said unto them, Whosoever receives this little child in my Name, receives me: and whosoever shall receive me, receives him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, he shall be great. )

Cvdl and sayde vnto them? Whosoeuer receaueth this childe in my name, receaueth me: and who so euer receaueth me, receaueth him that sent me. But who so is leest amoge you all, ye same shal be greate.
(and said unto them? Whosoever receives this child in my name, receives me: and whoso/whoever ever receives me, receives him that sent me. But whoso/whoever is least among you all, ye/you_all same shall be great.)

TNT and sayd vnto the: Whosoever receaveth this chylde in my name receaveth me. And whosoever receaveth me receaveth him that sent me. For he that is least amonge you all the same shalbe greate.
(and said unto them: Whosoever receives this child in my name receives me. And whosoever receives me receives him that sent me. For he that is least among you all the same shall be great. )

Wycl and seide to hem, Who euer resseyueth this child in my name, resseyueth me; and who euer resseyueth me, resseiueth him that sente me; for he that is leest among you alle, is the grettest.
(and said to hem, Who ever receives this child in my name, receives me; and who ever receives me, receiveth him that sent me; for he that is least among you all, is the greatest.)

Luth und sprach zu ihnen: Wer das Kind aufnimmt in meinem Namen, der nimmt mich auf; und wer mich aufnimmt, der nimmt den auf, der mich gesandt hat. Welcher aber der Kleinste ist unter euch allen, der wird groß sein.
(and spoke to/for to_them: Who the child records in my name(s), the/of_the takes me on/in/to; and who me records, the/of_the takes the on/in/to, the/of_the me sent has. Which but the/of_the Kleinste is under you all/everyone, the/of_the becomes large be.)

ClVg et ait illis: Quicumque susceperit puerum istum in nomine meo, me recipit: et quicumque me receperit, recipit eum qui me misit. Nam qui minor est inter vos omnes, hic major est.[fn]
(and he_said to_them: Whoever susceperit boy that in/into/on by_name mine, me receives: and whoever me received, receives him who/which me he_sent. For/Surely who/which minor it_is between you(pl) everyone, this/here major/greater it_is. )

9.48 Quicunque susceperit puerum. Vel simpliciter: pauperes Christi ab his qui volunt esse majores, pro ejus docet esse honore suscipiendos. Vel parvulos malitia docet esse, ut puerilis innocentiæ simplicitatem conservent, ut formam virtutis quam natura duce puer observat, ipsi pro nomine Christi sequantur ex industria. Me recipit. Qui imitatorem Christi recipit, Christum recipit, et qui imaginem Dei recipit, Deum recipit.

9.48 Whoever susceperit boy. Or simply: the_poor of_Christ away his who/which they_want to_be elders, for his teaches to_be with_honour suscipiendos. Or little_ones malice/vice teaches to_be, as childrenlis innocence simplicity conservent, as form of_virtue how nature/element as_a_leader child observat, themselves for by_name of_Christ follow from industria. Me receives. Who imitatorem of_Christ receives, Christ/Messiah receives, and who/which image of_God receives, God receives.

UGNT καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, ὃς ἐὰν δέξηται τοῦτο τὸ παιδίον ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου, ἐμὲ δέχεται; καὶ ὃς ἂν ἐμὲ δέξηται, δέχεται τὸν ἀποστείλαντά με. ὁ γὰρ μικρότερος ἐν πᾶσιν ὑμῖν ὑπάρχων, οὗτός ἐστιν μέγας.
(kai eipen autois, hos ean dexaʸtai touto to paidion epi tōi onomati mou, eme deⱪetai; kai hos an eme dexaʸtai, deⱪetai ton aposteilanta me. ho gar mikroteros en pasin humin huparⱪōn, houtos estin megas.)

SBL-GNT καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Ὃς ⸀ἂν δέξηται τοῦτο τὸ παιδίον ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου ἐμὲ δέχεται, καὶ ὃς ⸁ἂν ἐμὲ δέξηται δέχεται τὸν ἀποστείλαντά με· ὁ γὰρ μικρότερος ἐν πᾶσιν ὑμῖν ὑπάρχων οὗτός ⸀ἐστιν μέγας.
(kai eipen autois; Hos ⸀an dexaʸtai touto to paidion epi tōi onomati mou eme deⱪetai, kai hos ⸁an eme dexaʸtai deⱪetai ton aposteilanta me; ho gar mikroteros en pasin humin huparⱪōn houtos ⸀estin megas.)

RP-GNT καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, Ὃς ἐὰν δέξηται τοῦτο τὸ παιδίον ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου ἐμὲ δέχεται· καὶ ὃς ἐὰν ἐμὲ δέξηται δέχεται τὸν ἀποστείλαντά με· ὁ γὰρ μικρότερος ἐν πᾶσιν ὑμῖν ὑπάρχων οὗτος ἔσται μέγας.
(kai eipen autois, Hos ean dexaʸtai touto to paidion epi tōi onomati mou eme deⱪetai; kai hos ean eme dexaʸtai deⱪetai ton aposteilanta me; ho gar mikroteros en pasin humin huparⱪōn houtos estai megas.)

TC-GNT καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, Ὃς [fn]ἐὰν δέξηται τοῦτο τὸ παιδίον ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου ἐμὲ δέχεται· καὶ ὃς [fn]ἐὰν ἐμὲ δέξηται δέχεται τὸν ἀποστείλαντά με· ὁ γὰρ [fn]μικρότερος ἐν πᾶσιν [fn]ὑμῖν ὑπάρχων οὗτος [fn]ἔσται μέγας.
(kai eipen autois, Hos ean dexaʸtai touto to paidion epi tōi onomati mou eme deⱪetai; kai hos ean eme dexaʸtai deⱪetai ton aposteilanta me; ho gar mikroteros en pasin humin huparⱪōn houtos estai megas. )

9:48 εαν ¦ αν SBL TH WH

9:48 εαν ¦ αν CT

9:48 μικροτερος ¦ μεικροτερος TH

9:48 υμιν ¦ υμων PCK

9:48 εσται ¦ εστι ANT CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 9:46–48: Jesus told his disciples that they must be humble

In Section 9:28–36, the disciples saw Jesus’ glory on the Mount of Transfiguration. In Section 9:37–43a, they saw further evidence of his power when he cast out the demon from the boy (9:37–43a). In the previous Section 9:43b–45, Jesus told his disciples that he would soon be handed over to his enemies. However, his disciples did not understand what would happen. In this Section 9:46–48, Luke showed the contrast between Jesus predicting his approaching death and the disciples being preoccupied over which of them was the greatest. In response to the disciples’ attitude, Jesus showed that being truly humble was the way to be great in God’s opinion.

Some other examples of headings for this section are:

Greatness in the Kingdom (GW)

Who Is the Greatest? (NCV)

There are parallel passages for this section in Matthew 18:1–5 and Mark 9:33–37.

9:48a

And He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me,

And Jesus said to them, “Anyone who receives this little/young one for my sake receives me,
Then he said to his disciples, “Anyone who welcomes and helps a child like this one on my behalf, it is the same as welcoming me.
and said, “If a person shows hospitality/kindness to a child like this one because of his faith in me, it is really/actually me that he is honoring.

Whoever welcomes: The Greek word that the BSB translates as welcomes is literally “receives.” Several English versions translate it that way. It refers here to accepting or receiving someone as a guest. It also implies doing it willingly.

Some other ways to translate this are:

Whoever accepts (NCV)

Anyone who welcomes and helps

Whoever shows hospitality to

this little child: Jesus was using this child as an example of any child. In some languages a literal translation may give the wrong meaning that Jesus was thinking only of that particular child. If this is true in your language, you may need to translate this in a more general way. For example:

a little child like this (NLT)

in My name: The name of a person represented that person himself. So the phrase in My name indicates here that someone welcomes and helps others because he is a follower or representative of Jesus. Some ways to translate this are:

on my behalf (NLT)

because of me (CEV)

because of his faith in me

as my representative

welcomes Me: The verb welcomes is the same verb that was used earlier in the verse, but it is used in a figurative way here. By welcoming a child, you honor Jesus.

If people in your area will think that the words welcomes Me only refer to literally welcoming Jesus himself, you may want to include some implied information. For example:

it is the same as welcoming me

it is as if he is welcoming me

honors me

The word Me is emphasized in the Greek. If your language has a natural way to emphasize the word me, you may want to do so. For example:

I am the one whom he is welcoming

9:48b

and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me.

and anyone who receives me also receives the one who sent me.
And if anyone welcomes me, it is like he is welcoming God who sent me.
And if a person honors me, he is really/actually honoring God who sent me.”

and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me: This expression indicates that welcoming Jesus is the same as welcoming God. When someone welcomes Jesus, he also welcomes the one who sent Jesus. For example:

also welcomes the one who sent me (GNT)

the One who sent Me: The phrase the One who sent Me refers to God. If people in your area would not understand that this phrase refers to God, you may need to make this explicit. For example:

my Father who sent me (NLT)

God who sent me

9:48c

For whoever is the least among all of you, he is the greatest.”

For the one among you^(plur) all who is the most humble/lowly, he is the one who is truly/really the greatest.”
This is true because God considers to be important any person among all of you^(plur) who humbly serves others.”
Then Jesus concluded, “Whoever among you^(plur) thinks that he deserves the least important status, that person is truly great in God’s opinion.”

For: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as For here introduces the conclusion to Jesus’ teaching in this verse. This conclusion also answers the disciples’ argument about who was the greatest. You should introduce this connection in a natural way in your language. Some other ways to do this in English are:

Jesus concluded, “He who is least…”

What I want you to understand is this: He who is least…

In some languages a conjunction or an introductory phrase will not be needed.

whoever is the least among all of you, he is the greatest: There is an implied contrast here between what people think and what God thinks. People may think of someone as the least important, but God may consider that person to be the greatest. In this context Jesus probably also referred to what people think of themselves. The disciple who thinks that he deserves the lowest status in the group is the one whom God considers to be truly great. This kind of person would welcome children and serve others.

In some languages it may be necessary to make the meaning more explicit. For example:

Whoever among you considers himself to have the lowest status is the greatest in God’s opinion.

It is the humblest among you all who is really the greatest. (JBP)

he is the greatest: The Greek word that the BSB translates as greatest is literally “great.” In this context it may mean “greatest” in contrast to “least” in the previous phrase. Many English versions translate it this way. For example:

…is really the greatest (NCV)

It may also mean “truly great.” It refers here to someone whom God considers great. This person may be very poor, and other people may not respect him. But this is the person who is truly great. For example:

he who is least among you all is the one who is great (ESV)

that person is truly great/important in God’s eyes/opinion

Both “great” and “greatest” fit the context. You may use either one. The expression that you use should be compatible with your translation of “greatest” in 9:46b.

General Comment on 9:48c

In some languages it may be more natural to reorder the two phrases in 9:48c. For example:

So remember this: The one whom God considers to be truly great is the one who is the humblest among you.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / hyperbole

τοῦτο τὸ παιδίον

this (Some words not found in SR-GNT: καί εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Ὅς ἐάν δέξηται τοῦτο τό παιδίον ἐπί τῷ ὀνόματι μού ἐμέ δέχεται καί ὅς ἄν ἐμέ δέξηται δέχεται τόν ἀποστείλαντα μέ ὁ Γάρ μικρότερος ἐν πᾶσιν ὑμῖν ὑπάρχων οὗτος ἐστίν μέγας)

Jesus is using the child as an extreme example. He is illustrating that since he will be present in even the most humble of his followers, the disciples do not need to argue among themselves about which of them is the greatest. Everyone who is working on behalf of Jesus possesses his full honor and dignity. Alternate translation: [even someone as seemingly insignificant as this child]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: καί εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Ὅς ἐάν δέξηται τοῦτο τό παιδίον ἐπί τῷ ὀνόματι μού ἐμέ δέχεται καί ὅς ἄν ἐμέ δέξηται δέχεται τόν ἀποστείλαντα μέ ὁ Γάρ μικρότερος ἐν πᾶσιν ὑμῖν ὑπάρχων οὗτος ἐστίν μέγας)

Here, name is a figurative way of referring to a person by reference to something associated with him. Alternate translation: [as someone who is working on my behalf]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἐμὲ δέχεται

This is a metaphor, but If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate it as a simile. Alternate translation: [it is as if he is welcoming me]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τὸν ἀποστείλαντά με

Jesus assumes that his disciples will know that this means God. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state that explicitly. Alternate translation: [God, who sent me]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

οὗτός ἐστιν μέγας

Here Jesus uses the pronoun he in a generic sense that includes both men and women. Alternate translation: [that is the person whom God considers to be great]

Parallel LUKE 9:48

Section 9:46–48: Jesus told his disciples that they must be humble

9:48a

9:48b

9:48c

General Comment on 9:48c