Mar 9:37 | RWP | e4.org | One of such little children ( εν των τοιουτων παιδιων ). has "one such little child" and "this little child." It was an object lesson to the arrogant conceit of the twelve apostles contending for primacy. They did not learn this lesson for they will again wrangle over primacy ( ; ) and they will be unable to comprehend easily what the attitude of Jesus was toward children ( ; ; ). The child was used as a rebuke to the apostles.

‏ Mark 9:37

One of such little children ( εν των τοιουτων παιδιων ). Mt 18:5 has "one such little child" and Lu 9:48 "this little child." It was an object lesson to the arrogant conceit of the twelve apostles contending for primacy. They did not learn this lesson for they will again wrangle over primacy (Mr 10:33-45; Mt 20:20-28) and they will be unable to comprehend easily what the attitude of Jesus was toward children (Mr 10:13-16; Mt 19:13-15; Lu 8:15-17). The child was used as a rebuke to the apostles.