²⁶ It is not to be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you should become like the youngest,^(A) and whoever leads, like the one serving.

Who Is the Greatest?

18 At that time^[a](A) the disciples^(B) came to Jesus and asked, “So who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” ^{(C) 2} He called a small child and had him stand among them. ³ “Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become like little children,^(D) you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.^{(E) 4} Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ And whoever welcomes^[b] one child like this in my name welcomes me.