The parents brought their infants specifically for Jesus' touch, not just to be near him, highlighting a deep belief in his unique power to bless and heal even the littlest ones through that physical contact. The disciples' reaction to "rebuke" them shows they still hadn't grasped that Jesus' mission included the most vulnerable and least assuming among us.
Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just finished teaching about prayer and humility, and now, in a powerful contrast, people are bringing their little ones to Him for a touch and a blessing. The disciples, however, try to stop them, likely thinking these infants are too young to be significant or that they're distracting Jesus from more important matters. This interaction sets the stage for Jesus to reveal His heart for the vulnerable and to redefine who truly belongs in God's kingdom.
Have you ever tried to shield someone from an 'inconvenience,' only to find you were actually blocking something good?
The disciples did just that, thinking they were protecting Jesus' time and energy.
A Lesson in Misplaced Priorities
When people brought their little children to Jesus, the disciples stepped in. Their reaction? "They rebuked them." They saw these children, perhaps viewed as unimportant or a distraction, and thought it was their job to keep them away from the Master.
Why the Rebuke?
What happens when your well-intentioned, but misguided, actions are put in sharp contrast with the Master's true heart?
Ask a follow-up
Jesus saw the disciples' reaction and was not pleased.
The Radical Welcome
Jesus’ response was immediate and strong: "Suffer the little children to come to me, and do not forbid them."
What Jesus Saw:
This wasn't just about children; it was a profound statement about the nature of God's kingdom – it’s for those who recognize their utter reliance on Him, much like an infant relies on its parent.
Understand the original words
brephos · Greek Noun
The youngest stage of human development; Jesus often highlighted them as models of faith due to their humble dependence.
epitimaō · Greek Verb
To express strong disapproval or to reprimand; in this context, the disciples sought to prevent the people from bringing the children to Jesus.
paidia · Greek Noun
The state of being very young, characterized by humility, dependence, trust, and a lack of status or power in ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman culture. In this context, it represents the posture required to enter the kingdom of God.
basileia tou Theou · Greek Noun
The sovereign reign, rule, and authority of God. It refers both to the present spiritual reality of God's rule in the hearts of believers and the future, consummate establishment of His kingdom over all creation.
dexetai · Greek Verb
To get, grasp, or accept something offered. Biblically, it implies a receptive posture toward God’s grace or message, contrasting with earning or achieving.
The disciples' initial impulse to rebuke those bringing infants highlights their incomplete grasp of Jesus' inclusive kingdom, which valued the humble and vulnerable, a stark contrast to their more exclusive, adult-focused understanding.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee and Judea
Jesus traveled throughout regions like Galilee and Judea, teaching in synagogues, on mountainsides, and in villages, drawing crowds of followers and those seeking healing.
Early 1st century AD
Disciples' Growing Understanding of Jesus' Mission
The disciples were learning to interpret Jesus' teachings and actions, but their understanding of his kingdom and its nature was still developing, sometimes leading to misunderstandings.
Early 1st century AD
Crowds Seek Jesus for Healing and Teaching
People from various backgrounds, including families with young children, actively sought out Jesus, believing in his power to heal, bless, and offer spiritual insight.
This passage describes the same event, emphasizing Jesus' reaction of indignation when the disciples tried to keep the children away, highlighting a strong parallel in the disciples' misunderstanding of Jesus' heart.
Mark 10:13Mark's account of this incident reinforces the theme by showing the disciples rebuking those who brought the children, further illustrating their protective but misguided zeal against Jesus' inclusive compassion.
Luke 16:15This verse, spoken just before the parable of the rich young ruler, sets the stage by showing Jesus' teaching about what is highly valued by humans versus what is highly valued by God, contrasting the disciples' human-centric view with God's perspective on the lowly.
Matthew 18:3Jesus directly connects receiving the kingdom of heaven to becoming like a child, directly drawing from this incident to teach about the humility and dependence required for true discipleship.
calvinLuke 18:15-17: "And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them."
Then were presented to him children, that he might lay hands on them and pray; but the disciples rebuked them. 14. And Jesus said to them, Suffer children, and forbid them not, to come to me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 15. And when he had laid hands on them, he departed thence.
And they brought to him children, that he might touch them; but the…
gillLuke 18:15: "And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them."
And they brought unto him also infants,.... As well as grown persons, that were sick, to be healed by him: that he would touch them; in order, as some learned men think, to cure them of diseases that attended them; for one of the ways by which Christ healed persons, was by touching them; nor do we read of his touching in common for any other purpose, or of persons de…
The parents brought their infants specifically for Jesus' touch, not just to be near him, highlighting a deep belief in his unique power to bless and heal even the littlest ones through that physical contact. The disciples' reaction to "rebuke" them shows they still hadn't grasped that Jesus' mission included the most vulnerable and least assuming among us.
Jesus has just finished teaching about prayer and humility, and now, in a powerful contrast, people are bringing their little ones to Him for a touch and a blessing. The disciples, however, try to stop them, likely thinking these infants are too young to be significant or that they're distracting Jesus from more important matters. This interaction sets the stage for Jesus to reveal His heart for the vulnerable and to redefine who truly belongs in God's kingdom.
Jesus has just finished teaching about prayer and humility, and now, in a powerful contrast, people are bringing their little ones to Him for a touch and a blessing. The disciples, however, try to stop them, likely thinking these infants are too young to be significant or that they're distracting Jesus from more important matters. This interaction sets the stage for Jesus to reveal His heart for the vulnerable and to redefine who truly belongs in God's kingdom.
"Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the king…" — The parents brought their infants specifically for Jesus' touch, not just to be near him, highlighting a deep belief in his unique power to bless and heal even the littlest ones through that physic…
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Last reviewed October 2026
