And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The disciples' reaction reveals a misunderstanding of Jesus' mission: they saw him as too important for mere children. The parents, however, understood that Jesus' touch wasn't just a physical gesture, but a conduit for divine blessing and power, a hope they earnestly sought for their kids.
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is traveling, and parents are bringing their little children to him, hoping he will lay hands on them and bless them. However, his disciples step in, rebuking the parents and trying to keep them away. This incident sets the stage for Jesus to teach a profound lesson about the nature of God's kingdom and who belongs in it.
Why would parents bring their children to Jesus just to be touched? It sounds so simple, almost insignificant. But in that touch was a profound hope.
A Modest Request
The parents bringing their children to Jesus had a specific, humble request: that He might 'touch them.' This wasn't a demand for a dramatic miracle, but a desire for Jesus to lay His hands on the children and bless them. This act of laying on hands was a well-known ancient practice, a tangible way to signify a blessing, a prayer, or the impartation of God's favor. Think of Jacob blessing his grandsons – it was a gesture of deep significance.
The Hope for Blessing
These parents weren't just looking for a casual encounter. They believed Jesus had a special connection to God's power and that His touch could bring a divine impartation. They brought their children to him that he should touch them, hoping for them to receive a blessing, a prayer, and perhaps even a taste of the spiritual gifts Jesus bestowed. It shows a deep faith in Jesus' unique role as a conduit of God's grace, even for the littlest ones.
The disciples immediately stepped in to stop the children. Why? Were they protecting Jesus, or protecting their own understanding of His mission?
A Shield of Misunderstanding
The disciples' reaction was swift and sharp: they 'rebuked' those bringing the children. Their intention, perhaps, was to shield Jesus from what they perceived as an interruption or a triviality. They didn't yet grasp Jesus' heart for the vulnerable and the overlooked.
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Judging by Earthly Standards
This reveals a crucial blind spot: the disciples were judging Jesus by earthly standards. They couldn't reconcile the idea of the Son of God, the powerful Messiah, engaging with mere infants. To them, it seemed beneath His dignity or a distraction from His 'important' work. Their error wasn't necessarily malice, but a failure to see Jesus' true identity and mission – that His kingdom wasn't limited by human status or capability.
Understand the original words
paidia · Greek Noun
Young human beings who are often used as symbols of dependence, humility, and teachableness. In Jesus’ teaching, they represent those who lack status but are valuable and welcomed by God.
epetimēsan · Greek Verb
To express strong disapproval or sternly warn someone to stop an action. In the context of the Gospels, it is often used by the disciples to keep people away from Jesus.
This passage presents a very similar account where children are brought to Jesus, and the disciples initially try to prevent it, highlighting the disciples' ongoing misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and welcome.
Luke 18:15Luke's Gospel also records this event, emphasizing the disciples' attempts to keep the children away from Jesus and Jesus' subsequent gentle correction.
Matthew 18:3Jesus uses the occasion of the children being brought to him to teach a profound lesson about humility and the childlike nature required to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, directly connecting to why He welcomes them.
Genesis 48:14The Old Testament practice of laying on of hands for a blessing, as Jacob did with Joseph's sons, provides a historical backdrop to what the parents likely hoped Jesus would do for their children.
barnesMark 10:13: "And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them."
See the notes at Matthew 19:13-15 . Mark 10:13 Should touch them - That is, should lay his hands on them, and pray for them, and bless them. Compare Matthew 19:13. It was common to lay the hands on the head of a person for whom a blessing was asked. See the case of Jacob, Genesis 48:14.
bengelMark 10:13: "And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them."
Mark 10:13 . Ἅψηται , should touch ) A modest request.
The disciples' reaction reveals a misunderstanding of Jesus' mission: they saw him as too important for mere children. The parents, however, understood that Jesus' touch wasn't just a physical gesture, but a conduit for divine blessing and power, a hope they earnestly sought for their kids.
Jesus is traveling, and parents are bringing their little children to him, hoping he will lay hands on them and bless them. However, his disciples step in, rebuking the parents and trying to keep them away. This incident sets the stage for Jesus to teach a profound lesson about the nature of God's kingdom and who belongs in it.
Jesus is traveling, and parents are bringing their little children to him, hoping he will lay hands on them and bless them. However, his disciples step in, rebuking the parents and trying to keep them away. This incident sets the stage for Jesus to teach a profound lesson about the nature of God's kingdom and who belongs in it.
"And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them." — The disciples' reaction reveals a misunderstanding of Jesus' mission: they saw him as too important for mere children. The parents, however, understood that Jesus' touch wasn't just a physical gestur…
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Last reviewed October 2026