Home > Jesus is God in Mark's Gospel
This is expanded more in Matthew 18:1-5 and also mentioned in Luke 9:46-48. They arrive at a house in Capernaum, and Jesus questions the disciples about their argument over who is the "greatest."
Mark 9:33–37:
And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”
“in my name” - In Judaism, to act “in the name” of someone is to act under their authority. Jesus places Himself in the position normally reserved for God.
“whoever receives me… receives… Him who sent me” - He goes further. Jesus becomes the mediator of God’s presence. To receive Jesus is to receive God.
“child” - In the ancient world, children had no status, no legal standing, and no social power. Jesus elevates the lowest