SEV Biblia, Chapter 9:37
El que recibiere en mi nombre uno de los tales niños, a mí me recibe; y el que a mí me recibe, no me recibe a mí, sino al que me envió.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 37. Whosoever shall receive one of such children , etc..] That is, any believer, who is like to such a child for humility, meekness, and lowliness of mind; and so the Syriac version renders it, aylj anh Æ ya , “one like to this child”: and so the Arabic and Persic versions; for it cannot be thought that Christ's meaning is, that whoever takes up any little child, embraces, and takes notice of it, as he did, does what is after related; but that whoever shows respect, and performs the least office of love and kindness to the meanest believer, comparable to a little child, for the above excellent qualities, and he does this, says Christ, in my name ; on account that he belongs to Christ, is one of his, bears his image, partakes of his grace, is loved by him, and shall be glorified with, him: such is Christ's great regard to his humble followers, that he takes it all one as if done to himself: he receiveth me ; this humble believer, being a member of his, and like unto him, and respected by him; and whosoever shall receive me ; Christ, in any of his members: receiveth not me ; that is, not him only; for he does receive him, otherwise there would be a contradiction in the words; but his meaning is, that he does not hereby receive him, by receiving one of his, nor him so much, as his Father: but him that sent me ; for as showing respect to one of Christ's members, is showing respect to him; so showing respect to Christ, is showing respect to his Father, from whence he came, by whom he was sent, in whose name he acted, and whose work and service he was concerned in.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 30-40 - The time of Christ's suffering drew nigh. Had he been delivered int the hands of devils, and they had done this, it had not been s strange; but that men should thus shamefully treat the Son of man, wh came to redeem and save them, is wonderful. Still observe that when Christ spake of his death, he always spake of his resurrection, whic took the reproach of it from himself, and should have taken the grie of it from his disciples. Many remain ignorant because they are ashame to inquire. Alas! that while the Saviour teaches so plainly the thing which belong to his love and grace, men are so blinded that the understand not his sayings. We shall be called to account about ou discourses, and to account for our disputes, especially about being greater than others. Those who are most humble and self-denying, mos resemble Christ, and shall be most tenderly owned by him. This Jesu taught them by a sign; whoever shall receive one like this child receives me. Many have been like the disciples, ready to silence me who have success in preaching to sinners repentance in Christ's name because they follow not with them. Our Lord blamed the apostles reminding them that he who wrought miracles in his name would not be likely to hurt his cause. If sinners are brought to repent, to believ in the Saviour, and to live sober, righteous, and godly lives, we the see that the Lord works by the preacher.
Greek Textus Receptus
ος 3739 R-NSM εαν 1437 COND εν 1520 A-ASN των 3588 T-GPN τοιουτων 5108 D-GPN παιδιων 3813 N-GPN δεξηται 1209 5667 V-ADS-3S επι 1909 PREP τω 3588 T-DSN ονοματι 3686 N-DSN μου 3450 P-1GS εμε 1691 P-1AS δεχεται 1209 5736 V-PNI-3S και 2532 CONJ ος 3739 R-NSM εαν 1437 COND εμε 1691 P-1AS δεξηται 1209 5667 V-ADS-3S ουκ 3756 PRT-N εμε 1691 P-1AS δεχεται 1209 5736 V-PNI-3S αλλα 235 CONJ τον 3588 T-ASM αποστειλαντα 649 5660 V-AAP-ASM με 3165 P-1AS
Vincent's NT Word Studies
37. In my name. Lit., "upon (epi) my name." See on Matt. xviii. 5.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
9:37 {One of such little children} (hen twn toioutwn paidiwn). #Mt 18:5 has "one such little child" and #Lu 9:48 " this little child." It was an object lesson to the arrogant conceit of the twelve apostles contending for primacy. They did not learn this lesson for they will again wrangle over primacy (#Mr 10:33-45; Mt 20:20-28) and they will be unable to comprehend easily what the attitude of Jesus was toward children (#Mr 10:13-16; Mt 19:13-15; Lu 8:15-17). The child was used as a rebuke to the apostles.
