Luke 18:17
Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus isn't just saying we need to be humble; he's highlighting that the way we "receive" God's kingdom must be like a child. This means openness, trust, and a lack of self-reliance, not just a passive state. It's about actively approaching God's offer of His kingdom with the same uncomplicated dependence a little child has on a parent.
Just before this, Jesus had been talking about prayer and not giving up, using the parable of the persistent widow. Then, people started bringing little children to him, wanting Jesus to bless them, but his own disciples tried to push them away, thinking Jesus was too important for such things. Jesus gets upset by their reaction and uses this moment to teach everyone that receiving God's kingdom requires a childlike humility and openness, not the pride and self-importance that often get in the way.
The disciples thought they were protecting Jesus from an interruption. But Jesus saw something far more profound in the children brought to Him.
It’s easy to see why the disciples rebuked the parents. They probably thought infants were too young to benefit from Jesus’ touch or prayers. They judged based on what seemed logical to them: adult needs, adult understanding.
But Jesus was displeased. He saw that God's kingdom wasn't just for the intellectually or spiritually mature. He saw infants as fitting recipients of His grace. Their parents, in bringing them, showed a deep-seated faith that Jesus' power and Spirit could reach even the youngest. This shows us that our understanding of who 'belongs' in God's kingdom can be far too narrow.
Jesus uses children as the model for how we should approach God’s kingdom. What does that really mean?
Jesus says we must 'receive the kingdom of God as a child.' What are the key characteristics of a child in this context?
This is the opposite of pride, self-sufficiency, and demanding proof or merit. It's about recognizing we can't earn our way into God's favor; we must receive it with humble gratitude.
Understand the original words
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.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus traveled throughout Galilee and Judea, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples. His ministry involved interactions with crowds, religious leaders, and individuals from all walks of life.
c. 27-30 AD
Disciples Rebuke Parents
During Jesus' ministry, his disciples attempted to prevent parents from bringing their young children to Jesus, perhaps viewing the interaction as trivial or an interruption.
c. 27-30 AD
Jesus Welcomes Children
Jesus rebuked his disciples for hindering the children, stating that the kingdom of God belongs to such as these and that one must receive it like a child to enter.
This passage directly parallels Luke 18:17, with Jesus stating, 'Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.' It reinforces the idea that the kingdom is for those with a childlike disposition.
1 Corinthians 14:20Paul's exhortation to 'not be children in understanding, but in malice be infants' sheds light on the specific childlike qualities Jesus values – innocence and freedom from malice, rather than intellectual immaturity.
Romans 11:20This verse speaks about branches being broken off so that others could be grafted in, illustrating that receiving God's kingdom is not based on inherent spiritual status but on humble reception, much like a child receives a gift.
Mark 10:15This parallel account in Mark says, 'Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it,' echoing Luke's emphasis on the child-like reception needed to enter God's kingdom.
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 18:17: "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein."
Verily I say unto you,...., Christ takes an occasion from hence to teach his disciples humility, and guard them against pride and vanity: whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God; the King Messiah, the doctrines of the Gospel, and the ordinances of it, even the whole Gospel dispensation; as a little child; without prejudice, pride, ambition, and vanity, wit…
Jesus isn't just saying we need to be humble; he's highlighting that the way we "receive" God's kingdom must be like a child. This means openness, trust, and a lack of self-reliance, not just a passive state. It's about actively approaching God's offer of His kingdom with the same uncomplicated dependence a little child has on a parent.
Just before this, Jesus had been talking about prayer and not giving up, using the parable of the persistent widow. Then, people started bringing little children to him, wanting Jesus to bless them, but his own disciples tried to push them away, thinking Jesus was too important for such things. Jesus gets upset by their reaction and uses this moment to teach everyone that receiving God's kingdom requires a childlike humility and openness, not the pride and self-importance that often get in the way.
Just before this, Jesus had been talking about prayer and not giving up, using the parable of the persistent widow. Then, people started bringing little children to him, wanting Jesus to bless them, but his own disciples tried to push them away, thinking Jesus was too important for such things. Jesus gets upset by their reaction and uses this moment to teach everyone that receiving God's kingdom requires a childlike humility and openness, not the pride and self-importance that often get in the way.
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"Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”" — Jesus isn't just saying we need to be humble; he's highlighting that the way we "receive" God's kingdom must be like a child. This means openness, trust, and a lack of self-reliance, not just a pas…
