What Does the Bible Say About Being The Greatest In The Kingdom?

Matthew 18:1 ESV / 7 helpful votes

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

Mark 9:35 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

Luke 22:24 ESV / 5 helpful votes

A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.

Matthew 18:1-4 ESV / 5 helpful votes

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Luke 22:26 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.

Luke 9:46 ESV / 4 helpful votes

An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.

Mark 9:34 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.

Matthew 23:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The greatest among you shall be your servant.

Matthew 19:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 3:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

1 Peter 2:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

Luke 22:30 ESV / 3 helpful votes

That you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Luke 9:48 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And 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 is great.”

Luke 9:46-48 ESV / 3 helpful votes

An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and 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 is great.”

Mark 10:42-45 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 9:33 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?”

Matthew 20:25-28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 18:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 18:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:1-5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,

Matthew 7:21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Revelation 1:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

2 Peter 1:10-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 5:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

Hebrews 4:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 2:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 1:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?

Acts 14:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

Acts 1:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

John 3:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Luke 22:29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom,

Luke 22:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“You are those who have stayed with me in my trials,

Luke 22:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.

Luke 22:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors.

Luke 22:24-30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, ...

Luke 21:1-38 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, ...

Luke 14:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Luke 9:46-50 ESV / 2 helpful votes

An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and 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 is great.” John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”

Luke 9:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,

Luke 7:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Mark 9:42 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

Mark 9:33-37 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

Mark 9:33-50 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” ...

Mark 1:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Matthew 20:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,

Matthew 20:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”

Matthew 19:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Matthew 18:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!

Matthew 18:1-35 ESV / 2 helpful votes

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, ...

Matthew 16:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Matthew 10:40 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.

Matthew 8:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven,

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 5:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:19-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 4:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

61 Bible Verses about Being The Greatest In The Kingdom

Matthew 18:1 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 9:35 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 22:24 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:1-4 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 22:26 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 9:46 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 9:34 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 23:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 19:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 3:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 2:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 22:30 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 9:48 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 9:46-48 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 10:42-45 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 9:33 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 20:25-28 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:1-5 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:21 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 1:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Peter 1:10-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 5:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 4:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 2:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 1:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 6:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 14:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 1:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 22:29 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 22:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 22:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 22:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 22:24-30 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 21:1-38 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 14:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 9:46-50 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 9:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 7:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 9:42 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 9:33-37 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 9:33-50 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 1:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 20:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 20:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 20:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 19:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:1-35 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 16:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 10:40 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 8:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:19-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 4:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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