Matthew 18:3-4

Matthew 18:3-4

[3] And  said,  Verily  I say  ye be converted,  and  become  as  little children,  enter  into  the kingdom  of heaven.  [4] Whosoever  therefore  shall humble  himself  as  little child,  the same  in  the kingdom  of heaven. 

What does Matthew 18:3-4 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Jesus announced His revolutionary words with a solemn introductory formula (cf. Matthew 5:18). He said it was necessary that His disciples change and became as little children. The word "converted" in the NASB is misleading. Jesus was not speaking about "getting saved." Childlikeness was necessary for entrance into the messianic kingdom. Children have many characteristics that distinguish them from adults, but because of the disciples" concern with position in the kingdom and the teaching that follows, humility is clearly in view. Young children have little concern about their personal prestige and position in relation to other people.
In one sense the disciples had already humbled themselves as children when they believed on Jesus. This gave them access to the kingdom. However in another sense they had abandoned that attitude when they became concerned about their status in the kingdom. They needed to return to their former childlike attitude. Similarly they had exercised great power through simple faith in Jesus, but as time passed they got away from depending on Him, lost their power, and needed to return to dependent faith. Likewise Peter had made a great confession of faith in Jesus, but shortly after that he regressed and failed to submit to Jesus.
Matthew 18:3 also clarifies that the kingdom was still future when Jesus said these words. [1] The disciple who humbled himself as a little child would be the greatest in the kingdom. Greatness in the kingdom was what these disciples wanted ( Matthew 18:1). Jesus had previously commended childlike characteristics to His disciples ( Matthew 5:3; Matthew 11:25).
Since Jesus was speaking to disciples who believed on Him ( Matthew 16:16), it appears that He used the polar expressions "not enter the kingdom" and "greatest in the kingdom" to clarify His point. His point was the importance of humility. Jesus had previously said that if the disciple"s eye caused him to stumble he should gouge it out ( Matthew 18:9; cf. Matthew 5:29). That was a similar extreme statement (hyperbole) made to clarify a point.