The Greatest in the Kingdom

An argument over greatness leads Jesus to place a child beside himself and to identify the least as the greatest. He also refuses to stop a man casting out demons in his name, saying that one who is not against them is for them.

T⁴⁶hen an argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. ⁴⁷But Jesus, knowing the thoughts of their hearts, had a little child stand beside Him. ⁴⁸And 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 whoever is the least among all of you, he is the greatest.” ⁴⁹“Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.” ⁵⁰“Do not stop him,” Jesus replied, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”