And Jesus perceiving the thought of their heart,.... Not by any words he had heard; for the dispute was on the road, as they came along behind him; but as the omniscient God, who is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, he was privy to all their ambition, and the vanity of their minds, and to all their reasonings and debates: though he was before them, and out of the reach of hearing of them: and when he came to Capernaum, after having asked them what they disputed about by the way;

he took a child and set him by him. The Ethiopic version reads, "before them", the disciples; and Matthew and Mark say, "he set him in the midst of them"; all which were true, Jesus sitting in the midst of them; so, that the child he set by him, was in the middle of them and before them; See Gill on Matthew 18:2.

He took a little child (ἐπιλαβόμενος παιδίου)

Strictly, having laid hold of.

By him (παῤ ἑαυτῷ)

Lit., by himself. Mark alone record the taking him in his arms.

And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,

9:46-50 Which of them should be greatest. See notes on Mt 18:1-6 Mr 9:33-50. For notes on the question of John and the Lord's answer, see Mark as above.

9:47 Mt 18:2; Mr 9:37.

9:43-50 This prediction of Christ's sufferings was plain enough, but the disciples would not understand it, because it agreed not with their notions. A little child is the emblem by which Christ teaches us simplicity and humility. What greater honour can any man attain to in this world, than to be received by men as a messenger of God and Christ; and to have God and Christ own themselves received and welcomed in him! If ever any society of Christians in this world, had reason to silence those not of their own communion, the twelve disciples at this time had; yet Christ warned them not to do the like again. Those may be found faithful followers of Christ, and may be accepted of him, who do not follow with us.