Matthew 18:5

δέξηται : the discourse passes at this point from being child-like to gracious treatment of a child and what it represents. ἓν παιδίον τοιοῦτο : the real child present in the room passes into an ideal child, representing all that the spirit of ambition in its struggle for place and power is apt to trample under foot. So in effect the majority of commentators; a few, including Bengel, De Wette, Bleek, Weiss, hold that the reference is still to a real child. In favour of this view is Luke's version: “Whoso receiveth this child,” etc. (Luke 9:48). But the clause ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματί μου raises the child into the ideal sphere. The reception required does not mean natural kindness to children (though that also Christ valued), but esteeming them as fellow-disciples in spite of their insignificance. A child may be such a disciple, but it may also represent such disciples, and it is its representative function that is to be emphasised.