Luke 18:16
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus' action of calling the children to himself highlights that the kingdom of God isn't a reward for striving or achieving, but a gift received through relationship, even by those who can offer nothing in return. This emphasizes that belonging to God’s kingdom is rooted in a humble dependence, mirroring the way children naturally rely on their parents.
When parents bring their infants to Jesus for a blessing, his disciples try to send them away, thinking the Master is too busy with important matters. Jesus, however, is displeased by their reaction and calls the children to him, emphatically stating that the kingdom of God truly belongs to those who are like them.
Ever feel like you're too small or insignificant to matter to God? Jesus's reaction to his disciples' behavior tells a different story.
The disciples, perhaps trying to protect Jesus's time or status, rebuked those bringing children to him. But Jesus wasn't just tolerant; he was displeased.
A Divine Disagreement
What do children possess that makes them the perfect example for entering God's kingdom?
Jesus doesn't just welcome children; he holds them up as the model for how everyone must enter God's kingdom. He says, 'for to such belongs the kingdom of God.'
The Childlike Heart
Understand the original words
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.
This passage is the parallel account in Matthew's Gospel, emphasizing Jesus' strong affirmation and his statement that 'the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'
Mark 10:14Mark's Gospel, believed to be from Peter's eyewitness account, highlights Jesus' displeasure with the disciples' actions and records the same core message, adding a vivid detail of Jesus taking the children in his arms.
1 Corinthians 14:20Paul urges believers not to be 'children in understanding' but mature in their faith, which offers a crucial balance to the 'childlike' nature Jesus values here – showing that we should be innocent and teachable like children, but not immature in our spiritual discernment.
Matthew 18:3This verse directly follows Jesus' teaching on humility and states, 'unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven,' directly linking the disposition of children to entry into God's kingdom, reinforcing Luke's point.
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 18:16: "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."
But Jesus called them unto him,.... Not the disciples, as the Ethiopic version reads, nor the persons that brought the children, but the children themselves; for the antecedent to the relative "them", can be no other; which shows, that these infants were not new born babes, or children at the breast, but such as were more grown up, since they w…
Jesus' action of calling the children to himself highlights that the kingdom of God isn't a reward for striving or achieving, but a gift received through relationship, even by those who can offer nothing in return. This emphasizes that belonging to God’s kingdom is rooted in a humble dependence, mirroring the way children naturally rely on their parents.
When parents bring their infants to Jesus for a blessing, his disciples try to send them away, thinking the Master is too busy with important matters. Jesus, however, is displeased by their reaction and calls the children to him, emphatically stating that the kingdom of God truly belongs to those who are like them.
When parents bring their infants to Jesus for a blessing, his disciples try to send them away, thinking the Master is too busy with important matters. Jesus, however, is displeased by their reaction and calls the children to him, emphatically stating that the kingdom of God truly belongs to those who are like them.
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This isn't about childish behavior, but about the posture of the heart: humility, trust, and a recognition of need. These are the essential qualities for receiving God's kingdom.
"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." — Jesus' action of calling the children to himself highlights that the kingdom of God isn't a reward for striving or achieving, but a gift received through relationship, even by those who can offer n…
