^9:46Now an argument started among the disciples¹⁵⁸ as to which of them might be¹⁵⁹ the greatest. ^9:47But when Jesus discerned their innermost thoughts,¹⁶⁰ he took a child, had him stand by¹⁶¹ his side, ^9:48and said to them, “Whoever welcomes¹⁶² this child¹⁶³ in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me, for the one who is least among you all is the one who is great.”¹⁶⁴

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Footnotes

158 Grk “among them”; the referent (the disciples) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
159 The use of the optative mood means the answer is not clear ( §§267.2.3; 385.2.2).
160 Grk “knowing the thoughts of their hearts” (an idiom).
161 On this use of παρά (para), see §239.1.1.
162 This verb, δέχομαι (dechomai), is a term of hospitality (L&N 34.53).
163 Children were very insignificant in ancient culture, so this child would be the perfect object lesson to counter the disciples’ selfish ambitions.
164 Grk “among you all, this one is great.” The absence of a comparative term here makes the point that comparison should not be done.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

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.”

NIVNew International Version (2011)

An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”

CSBChristian Standard Bible

An argument started among them about who was the greatest of them. But Jesus, knowing their inner thoughts, took a little child and had him stand next to him. He told them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me welcomes him who sent me. For whoever is least among you—this one is great.”

NLTNew Living Translation

Then his disciples began arguing about which of them was the greatest. But Jesus knew their thoughts, so he brought a little child to his side. Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.”

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

And an argument developed among them as to who of them might be greatest. But Jesus, because he knew the thoughts of their hearts, took hold of a child and had him stand beside him and said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For the one who is least among you all—this one is great.”

KJV 1900King James Version

Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

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