Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
9:36-37 In Jesus’ day, children were not romanticized as innocent and pure but were considered to be weak and inferior. Children were to be received on my behalf. Welcoming a child is an example of humbly taking the last place and serving everyone else (9:35; cp. 10:13-16). Other sayings about receiving or rejecting Jesus also involve receiving or rejecting his followers (Matt 10:40; 25:31-46; Luke 10:16; John 13:20).
Literal English (YLT)ⓘYoung's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose. Covers the New Testament only.Young's Literal Translation (1862) — mirrors the original word order and idiom as closely as English grammar allows. It reads awkwardly on purpose: the goal is to show you the structure of the original language, not smooth English prose. Covers the New Testament only.
And having taken a child, he set him in the midst of them, and having taken him in his arms, said to them,
Greek (New Testament)ⓘA Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.A Greek New Testament text — koine (common) Greek, the everyday language the New Testament was originally written in.
none και λαβων παιδιον εστησεν αυτο εν μεσω αυτων και εναγκαλισαμενος αυτο ειπεν αυτοις
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
And he took a little child, and set him in the midst of them: and taking him in his arms, he said unto them,
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
He took a little child and set him in the middle of them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them,
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written with a ~1,000-word vocabulary. Easiest to read, least precise wording.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written with a ~1,000-word vocabulary. Easiest to read, least precise wording.
And he took a little child, and put him in the middle of them; and taking him in his arms, he said to them,