Jesus says this after picking up as child among the apostles.
Mark 9:37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
Mark 9:37 Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me
Whoever accepts one of such as these kids such for that name of mine, welcomes me: and whoever welcomes me, doesn't welcome me. Instead? The one sending me.
This version has a little more humor than the versions in Matthew 18:5, and Luke 9:48 because the end of it is a tease where Jesus says that someone who welcomes him doesn't welcome him. He then adds the "instead" line as the punchline.
The meaning of the verb "welcome/receive" here depends on whether we consider a child to be a person or a thing. The form of the word used is a thing, that is, a neuter form. The word refers to young children under seven, but Jesus uses it for older children as well. When referring to things, the verb means "receive graciously" or "accept". When referring to people, it means "welcomes." So, this is a play on words where the meaning of the word changes from "accepts" to "welcomes."
The "but" is used by Jesus more like "instead" or "rather" rather than the common word translated as "but."
The word translated as "sent" is the Greek word from which we get "apostle," but the word is a verbal adjective preceded by an article, "the one sending me."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "shall" does not mean the future tense.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "receive" is not the common word usually translated as "receive."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "children" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "in."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "name" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "receive" is not the common word usually translated as "receive."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "shall" does not mean the future tense.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "receive" is not the common word usually translated as "receive."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "receive" is not the common word usually translated as "receive."
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "that" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "sent " is not an active verb but a participle, "sending."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "such" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW --Confusing Word -- This is not the common word usually translated as "in."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "the/this" before "name" is not shown in the English translation.
- CW - Confusing Word -- The "but" is not the common word usually translated as "but."
- IW - Inserted Word -- The word "who" doesn't exist in the source.
- WF -- Wrong Form - The "sent " is not an active verb but a participle, "sending."
Whoso -- The word translated as "whoso" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause.
- ever -- The word "ever" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when." With the pronoun above, it means "whoever."
shall -- (CW) This helping verb "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but that the verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but it is assumed in an "if/when/whoever" clause, which is the case here. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.
receive - - (CW) "Shall receive" is from a verb that means "welcome," "accept," and "entertain" when applied to people. Christ usually uses it in the sense of "welcoming" someone. It is in a form that indicates something that "should" or "might" happen, which is assumed in a "when" clause as we see here. This is not the common word translated as "receive."
one -- The Greek word translated as "one " means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person.
of -- This comes from the genitive form of the following words.
such -- "Such" is an adjective that means "such as this", "so great a thing", "such a condition", "such a reason", "and suchlike." Jesus used this word eight times. Five of those times, he is describing children.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
children -- The word used for "children" means specifically a "little child." It is a play on another word later on the verse that Jesus also uses to mean child. This plural noun is neuter. The English word "kids" seems to capture its feeling. More about all these words Jesus uses for children in this article.
in - (CW) The word translated as "in" means "upon," "for" "against", "before", "during", "by" or "on." This is not the word usually translated as "in" but it is frequently, but not always, used in this phrase. The sense is "for" his name. This is not the word that usually means "in."
my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
name, The Greek word translated as "name" is much more complicated than it might at first appear. It can simply mean a "name" as in English, this can be many things. It doesn't mean the thing itself, but what people call it. For example, it can mean a "false name," or "a pretense" as we say "this is a marriage in name only." It can also mean representing another person's authority, as we say, "he is acting in the name of the boss."
receiveth - - (CW) "Receive" is from a verb that means "welcome," "accept," and "entertain" when applied to people. Christ usually uses it in the sense of "welcoming" someone. It is in a form that indicates something that "should" or "might" happen, which is assumed in a "when" clause as we see here. This is not the common word translated as "receive."
me: "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek. In the Greek, the "my" and the "me" are next to each other.
and The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
Whoso -- The word translated as "whoso" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause.
- ever -- The word "ever" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when." With the pronoun above, it means "whoever."
shall -- (CW) This helping verb "shall" does not indicate the future tense, but that the verb describes a possibility, the subjunctive voice. A "might" or "should" in English is more appropriate, but it is assumed in an "if/when/whoever" clause, which is the case here. Helping verbs are not needed in Greek since the main verb carries this information in its form.
receive - - (CW) "Shall receive" is from a verb that means "welcome," "accept," and "entertain" when applied to people. Christ usually uses it in the sense of "welcoming" someone. It is in a form that indicates something that "should" or "might" happen, which is assumed in a "when" clause as we see here. This is not the common word translated as "receive."
me, -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition
receiveth -- (CW) "Receive" is a Greek word that is used four times in this verse, which, when applied to people as it does here, means "to welcome", "to grant access," or "to receive with hospitality." The sense is more "welcome" than the more general "receive". "Receives" is again the same word as above, repeating the present form used before.
not The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. Since it appears before the verb, it acts like our phrase "doesn't really".
me, -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek.
but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus almost always uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
him -- (WW) The word translated as "him" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
that -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "that" in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.
sent -- (WF) The "sent " here is a verb that means "to send off" and "dispatch." It is in the form of an adjective, "sending" used as a noun, "the one sending". The Greek word is the source of our word "apostle." The "sent " is not an active verb but a participle, "sending."
me. -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek.
Whoso -- The word translated as "whoso" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause.
- ever -- The word "ever" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when." With the pronoun above, it means "whoever."
welcomes - - "Shall receive" is from a verb that means "welcome," "accept," and "entertain" when applied to people. Christ usually uses it in the sense of "welcoming" someone. It is in a form that indicates something that "should" or "might" happen, which is assumed in a "when" clause as we see here. This is not the common word translated as "receive."
one -- The Greek word translated as "one " means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person.
of -- This comes from the genitive form of the following words.
missing "such" -- (MW) The untranslated word "such as this", "so great a thing", "such a condition", "such a reason", "and suchlike." Jesus used this word eight times. Five of those times, he is describing children.
these -- The "these" is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
little children -- The word used for "little children" means specifically a "little child." It is a play on another word later on the verse that Jesus also uses to mean child. This plural noun is neuter. The English word "kids" seems to capture its feeling. More about all these words Jesus uses for children in this article.
in - (CW) The word translated as "in" means "upon," "for" "against", "before", "during", "by" or "on." This is not the word usually translated as "in" but it is frequently, but not always, used in this phrase. The sense is "for" his name. This is not the word that usually means "in."
my -- "My" is the first-person possessive singular pronoun.
missing "the/this" -- (MW) The untranslated word is the Greek definite article," the," which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," and "those"). See this article for more.
name, The Greek word translated as "name" is much more complicated than it might at first appear. It can simply mean a "name" as in English, this can be many things. It doesn't mean the thing itself, but what people call it. For example, it can mean a "false name," or "a pretense" as we say "this is a marriage in name only." It can also mean representing another person's authority, as we say, "he is acting in the name of the boss."
welcomes - "Welcomes " is from a verb that means "welcome," "accept," and "entertain" when applied to people. Christ usually uses it in the sense of "welcoming" someone. It is in a form that indicates something that "should" or "might" happen, which is assumed in a "when" clause as we see here. This is not the common word translated as "receive."
me: "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek. In the Greek, the "my" and the "me" are next to each other.
and The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and", but it also is used to add emphasis ("also").
Whoso -- The word translated as "whoso" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun ("the one that), especially a connective pronoun ("the one that") introducing a dependent clause.
- ever -- The word "ever" indicates more of an expectation of something happening than "if" alone. This is often how we use the word "when." With the pronoun above, it means "whoever."
welcomes - "Welcomes " is from a verb that means "welcome," "accept," and "entertain" when applied to people. Christ usually uses it in the sense of "welcoming" someone. It is in a form that indicates something that "should" or "might" happen, which is assumed in a "when" clause as we see here. This is not the common word translated as "receive."
me, -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek as the object of the verb or preposition.
does -- This English helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in translation from Greek
not The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. Since it appears before the verb, it acts like our phrase "doesn't really".
welcome -- "Receive" is a Greek word that is used four times in this verse, which, when applied to people as it does here, means "to welcome", "to grant access," or "to receive with hospitality." The sense is more "welcome" than the more general "receive". "Receives" is again the same word as above, repeating the present form used before.
me, -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek.
but -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "but" denotes an exception or simple opposition. It is used to emphasize the contrast between things like we use "instead," "but instead,"or "rather." It is not the common word usually translated as "but." It is the Greek word "other" like we use "otherwise." Jesus almost always uses this conjunction to connect a negative clause, "not this," with a positive one, "instead this."
the one -- The word translated as "the one" is the Greek definite article, which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this", "that", "these", "those"). See this article for more.
who -- (IW) There is nothing that can be translated as "that" in the Greek source. It was added because the next verb was translated as active rather than as a participle.
sent -- (WF) The "sent " here is a verb that means "to send off" and "dispatch." It is in the form of an adjective, "sending" used as a noun, "the one sending". The Greek word is the source of our word "apostle." The "sent " is not an active verb but a participle, "sending."
me. -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek.
Ὃς [294 verses](pron sg masc nom) "Who-" is hos, which means "this", "that", "he", "she", "which", "what", "who", "whosoever", "where", "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
ἂν [162 verses](conj) "-soever" is ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if) and an (possibly), which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event. This is how we use the word "when." It can be used after a demonstrative pronoun hos or hostis meaning "that possibly," "whosoever" or "whatsoever.
[ἓν] [85 verses](noun sg neut nom) "One" is heis, which means "one" (as opposed to other numbers), "single," and "one and the same." As in English, it can be used as a pronoun, meaning a single person.
τῶν [821 verses] (article pl neut gen) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
τοιούτων [8 verses](adj pl neut gen) "Of such" is from toioutos, which means "such as this", "so great a thing", "such a condition", "such a reason", "and suchlike."
παιδίων [13 verses](noun pl neut gen diminutive) "Children" is from paidion. which means "little child" or "young child," (up to seven years) "infant" or "young slave."
δέξηται [18 verses](verb 3rd sg aor subj mid) "Shall receive" is dechomai, which means "welcome", "accept," and "entertain" when applied to people and "take", "accept," and "receive" when applied to things.
ἐπὶ [138 verses](prep) "In" is epi, which means "on", "upon", "at", "by", "before", "across," "during", and "against."
τῷ [821 verses](article sg neut dat) Untranslated is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
ὀνόματί [47 verses](noun sg neut dat) "Name" is onoma, which means "name." It means both the reputation of "fame," and "a name and nothing else," as opposed to a real person. Acting in someone's name means to act on their behalf, as their representative.
μου [239 verses](noun sg masc gen) "My" is mou, which means "me", and "mine". --
ἐμὲ [49 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Me" is eme, which means "I", "me", and "my". -
δέχεται, [18 verses](verb 3rd sg pres ind mp) "Receiveth" is dechomai, which means "welcome", "accept," and "entertain" when applied to people and "take", "accept," and "receive" when applied to things.
καὶ [1089 verses](conj) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "but." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even", "also," and "just."
ὃς [294 verses](pron sg masc nom) "Who-" is hos, which means "this", "that", "he", "she", "which", "what", "who", "whosoever", "where", "for which reason," and many similar meanings.
ἂν [162 verses](conj) "-soever" is ean, which is a conditional particle (derived from ei (if) and an (possibly), which makes reference to a time and experience in the future that introduces but does not determine an event. This is how we use the word "when." It can be used after a demonstrative pronoun hos or hostis meaning "that possibly," "whosoever" or "whatsoever.
ἐμὲ [49 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Me" is eme, which means "I", "me", and "my". --
δέξηται [18 verses] (verb 3rd sg aor subj mid) "Shall receive" is dechomai, which means "welcome", "accept," and "entertain" when applied to people and "take", "accept," and "receive" when applied to things.
οὐκ (partic) "Not" is ou which is the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective.
ἐμὲ [49 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Me" is eme, which means "I", "me", and "my".
δέχεται [18 verses](verb 3rd sg pres ind mp) "Receiveth" is dechomai, which means "welcome", "accept," and "entertain" when applied to people and "take", "accept," and "receive" when applied to things.
ἀλλὰ [154 verses](conj) "But" is alla, which means "instead," "otherwise," "but," "still," "at least," "except," "yet," nevertheless," "rather," "moreover," and "nay."
τὸν [821 verses](article sg masc acc) "Him" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"), which usually precedes a noun and, without a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
ἀποστείλαντά [60 verses](part sg aor act masc acc) "Him that sent" is apostello, which means "to send off", "to send away," or "to dispatch."
με: [49 verses](noun sg masc acc) "Me" is eme, which means "I", "me", and "my". -- "Me" is the regular first-person pronoun in Greek.
What is the difference between a young child and an older child? Young children live much more "in the moment" than older ones do. They do not see the world through a layer of assumptions. They accept that they don't know anything about the world, but they are excited to discover what the world holds.