Jesus was talking specifically about children. Here's are His words (as reported later by Matthew and translated much later into English, KJV):
Matthew: 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
18:2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
18:5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Jesus was using young children both to make a point about how adults needed to become "as little children" to enter Heaven AND to impress on His audience that mistreating children was a horrible sin. Consider these similar verses from Mark:
Mark: 10:13: And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
10:14: But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
10:15: Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
Jesus was angry with his own disciples because they disrespected some children. He also stated plainly that anyone who is NOT "as a little child" isn't getting to Heaven -- Heaven and "the Kingdom of God" having the same meaning.
Verse 10:15 is ambiguous (at least as translated into English). I believe Jesus meant BOTH that:
A newborn child IS ALREADY in the Kingdom, but abusing a child may damage that person to the point where they are separated from God, and
A damaged adult may FIND THEIR WAY BACK TO THE KINGDOM by recovering their own innocence and purity of heart -- by recovering the characteristics of a healthy young child, which are ALSO characteristic of a healthy ADULT -- of which, there have always been too few.
That interpretation fits well with Luke 17:21, another direct quotation from Jesus:
Luke: 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Jesus was talking specifically about children. Here's are His words (as reported later by Matthew and translated much later into English, KJV):
He is saying be like kids - kids are full of life, love and joy before they are corrupted by The World
Exactly!
“As”children means like a child young but not an actual child.
Jesus was using young children both to make a point about how adults needed to become "as little children" to enter Heaven AND to impress on His audience that mistreating children was a horrible sin. Consider these similar verses from Mark:
Jesus was angry with his own disciples because they disrespected some children. He also stated plainly that anyone who is NOT "as a little child" isn't getting to Heaven -- Heaven and "the Kingdom of God" having the same meaning.
Verse 10:15 is ambiguous (at least as translated into English). I believe Jesus meant BOTH that:
A newborn child IS ALREADY in the Kingdom, but abusing a child may damage that person to the point where they are separated from God, and
A damaged adult may FIND THEIR WAY BACK TO THE KINGDOM by recovering their own innocence and purity of heart -- by recovering the characteristics of a healthy young child, which are ALSO characteristic of a healthy ADULT -- of which, there have always been too few.
That interpretation fits well with Luke 17:21, another direct quotation from Jesus: