36 He took a little child, and set him in the midst of them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them,
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
And he took a child,.... Which was in the house, and which he called unto him, and set by him, as the other evangelists observe:
and set him in the midst of them; his disciples, that all might see and learn from this instance;
and when he had taken him in his arms; and embraced him, to show his great regard to humility, and humble persons:
he said unto them; the following words.
And he took a child--"a little child" (Matthew 18:2); but the word is the same in both places, as also in Luke 9:47.
and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms--This beautiful trait is mentioned by out Evangelist alone.
he said unto them--Here we must go to Matthew (Matthew 18:3-4) for the first of this answer: "Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven: " that is, "Conversion must be thorough; not only must the heart be turned to God in general, and from earthly to heavenly things, but in particular, except ye be converted from that carnal ambition which still rankles within you, into that freedom from all such feelings which ye see in this child, ye have neither part nor lot in the kingdom at all; and he who in this feature has most of the child, is highest there." Whosoever, therefore, shall "humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven": "for he that is [willing to be] least among you all, the same shall be great" (Luke 9:48).
*More commentary available at chapter level.