“Truly!
I say to you!
Whoever does not receive
The kingdom of God
As a little child
Will never enter it.”
ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, ὃς ἂν μὴ δέξηται τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ ὡς παιδίον, οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθῃ εἰς αὐτήν.
This story about Jesus wanting them to become like little children is in Matthew, chapter 18:3, and Luke, chapter 18:17, but slightly different. Jesus put an emphasis on becoming like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven. Mark said that Jesus made a solemn proclamation “Truly! I say to you!’ (ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν).” They had to receive the kingdom of God (ὃς ἂν μὴ δέξηται τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ) like a little child (ὡς παιδίον). Otherwise, they would never enter the kingdom of God (οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθῃ εἰς αὐτήν). There is no long explanation about being humble like this little child to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, as in Matthew. Pure and simple, they had to have the attitude of a young child to enter the kingdom of God.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 