The people who brought small children to Jesus doubtless were parents who believed in him. They wanted him to lay his hands on their little ones, praying for them and imparting his blessing. According to most manuscripts of Luke 18:15, the “little children” (plural of paidíon were “infants” (plural of bréphos). The fact that they were brought may indicate that at least some of them were being carried. They were too small to come on their own. In wanting Jesus to pronounce a blessing of well-being when laying his hands on their little ones and praying for them, the parents revealed their love and concern for them. (Matthew 19:13; Mark 10:13; Luke 18:15)
When the disciples saw what was happening, they reprimanded those who brought the little children. (Matthew 19:13; Mark 10:13; Luke 18:15) The accounts do not reveal the reason for their objection. Possibly the disciples thought that the little ones were too young for this kind of attention or that Jesus had more important work to do than to spend time with small children.
He, however, responded very differently to what the disciples may have considered a well-meaning effort to shield him from an unnecessary interruption. Jesus asked that the little children be allowed to come to him and that they should not be hindered. He then used the opportunity to stress an important truth, “The kingdom of God is for [or belongs to] such. Amen [Truly], I say to you, Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will not, no [never], enter into it.” (Matthew 19:14; Mark 10:14, 15; Luke 18:16, 17; see the Notes section for additional comments.) All who accept God’s reign in their life, recognizing him as Sovereign and submitting to his ways, must be like small children—trusting, innocent, teachable, and unassuming.
Jesus loved the little children of the believing ones who brought them, accepting them as belonging to him. He took the little ones into his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. Thereafter he left the area. (Matthew 19:15; Mark 10:16; see the Notes section.) The tender portrayal of Jesus’ interaction with small children reveals that they were comfortable in his presence and drawn to him.
Notes:
Matthew’s account does not include the comments about “receiving” the kingdom of God like a little child. In many manuscripts, Jesus’ words regarding this are identical in Mark 10:15 and Luke 18:17.
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Luke’s account does not mention that Jesus blessed the little children. Matthew 19:15 reports that he laid his hands on them. Mark 10:16 provides the details about Jesus taking the little ones into his arms and blessing them. A number of manuscripts include “and” after the first “them.” According to this reading of Mark 10:16, he laid his “hands on them and blessed them.”
Only Matthew 19:15 reports that Jesus departed from there.