Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The disciples rebuke the parents not just because they thought the children were too young, but because they perceived it as an inappropriate distraction for their Master, failing to grasp that Jesus's mission included even the littlest ones.
Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just after Jesus had been teaching about humility and greatness in his kingdom, people started bringing their little children to him so he could lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples, however, thought this was an interruption and tried to send the parents away with their kids.
Why did parents specifically bring their children to Jesus to have him lay hands on them and pray?
Bringing children to Jesus for him to lay hands on them and pray was deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. It was a way of consecrating them to God and seeking a special blessing, much like parents would seek blessings from revered figures.
Why did Jesus' own disciples try to stop parents from bringing their children to him?
The disciples' reaction reveals a common human tendency to misunderstand Jesus' priorities and misjudge who is worthy of his attention.
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Understand the original words
epitithēmi cheiras · Greek Verb phrase
The act of placing hands upon a person to signify divine blessing, the impartation of authority, the setting apart for a task, or the petitioning of God for healing or spiritual favor.
paidion · Greek Noun
Refers to young children or infants; biblically, they are highlighted as models of humility, dependence, and openness to the reception of God's grace.
This event occurred during Jesus' public ministry in Galilee, a time when the disciples were still grappling with the nature of his kingdom and the way God works, leading to their initial misunderstanding of Jesus' openness to children.
c. 27-30 AD— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples. This period was marked by growing popularity and increasing opposition from religious leaders.
c. 27-30 AD
Disciples' Growing Understanding
Jesus' disciples were gradually learning about his mission and the nature of God's kingdom, though they often misunderstood his teachings and priorities.
c. 27-30 AD
Jewish Customs of Blessing
It was a common Jewish custom for respected figures to lay hands on individuals, especially children, as a sign of blessing, consecration, and prayer for divine favor.
This parallel passage emphasizes that even infants were brought to Jesus, highlighting that Jesus' ministry was for all ages, including the very young.
Matthew 18:2-3Jesus' teaching immediately before this event, about becoming like children to enter the kingdom, directly sets up the theological significance of receiving children here.
Genesis 48:14This Old Testament account of Jacob blessing his grandsons by laying hands on them shows the historical precedent for the gesture Jesus used, signifying a transfer of blessing and spiritual heritage.
1 Corinthians 14:20Paul's instruction not to be children in understanding but in malice echoes Jesus' point here, showing that the 'childlike' qualities Jesus valued are innocence and humility, not ignorance.
barnesMatthew 19:13: "Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them."
Then were brought little children - See also Mark 10:13-16 ; Luke 18:15-17 . Probably these were brought by some of his followers, who desired not only to devote themselves to Jesus, but all that they had - their children as well as themselves. All the Jews were accustomed to devote their children to God by circumcision. It was natural, therefore, un…
calvinMatthew 19:13-15: "Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples 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 to…
The disciples rebuke the parents not just because they thought the children were too young, but because they perceived it as an inappropriate distraction for their Master, failing to grasp that Jesus's mission included even the littlest ones.
Just after Jesus had been teaching about humility and greatness in his kingdom, people started bringing their little children to him so he could lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples, however, thought this was an interruption and tried to send the parents away with their kids.
Just after Jesus had been teaching about humility and greatness in his kingdom, people started bringing their little children to him so he could lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples, however, thought this was an interruption and tried to send the parents away with their kids.
"Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people," — The disciples rebuke the parents not just because they thought the children were too young, but because they perceived it as an inappropriate distraction for their Master, failing to grasp that Jesus…
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Last reviewed October 2026