Matthew 19:13-14
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The disciples rebuked the people, not the children themselves, because they thought it was beneath Jesus' dignity to be bothered with infants. This reveals a profound misunderstanding of Jesus' mission; they saw him as a great prophet, but missed that his power extended to the smallest and most helpless.
Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just been discussing the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven and the importance of humility, when parents begin bringing their young children to him. They want Jesus to lay his hands on them and pray, a Jewish custom signifying a blessing or consecration. However, his disciples, perhaps thinking the children too young or a distraction to Jesus' important work, rebuke the parents and try to send them away.
Why did parents bring their little ones to Jesus? It wasn't just a cute photo op; it was a profound act of faith.
A Plea for God's Blessing
When parents brought their children to Jesus, they weren't just seeking a touch or a prayer; they were seeking God's blessing. This was deeply rooted in Jewish custom, where laying on of hands was a sign of consecration and a way to impart a blessing.
Think of Jacob blessing his grandsons, Joseph's sons (Genesis 48:14). The parents here recognized Jesus as someone with extraordinary favor with God, a holy man or even the Messiah, whose prayers and touch could bring tangible spiritual benefits to their children.
Faith in Action
This act demonstrated:
Jesus' own disciples tried to shield Him from the children. What was going through their minds, and why were they so wrong?
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A Matter of Dignity?
The disciples' reaction was likely rooted in a misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and their own role. They saw the children as a potential distraction or even a bother to their Master.
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.
kōlyō · Greek Verb
To restrain, block, or obstruct someone from approaching Jesus, which is condemned as it contradicts the open invitation of Christ to come to Him.
The disciples' reaction reveals their misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and the nature of the Kingdom of God, highlighting a common human tendency to underestimate the value of the seemingly small or insignificant.
c. 28 AD
Jesus Begins Public Ministry
Jesus of Nazareth begins his public ministry in Galilee after his baptism by John the Baptist, attracting crowds of followers and causing a stir among religious authorities.
c. 29-30 AD
Jesus Teaches and Heals in Galilee
Jesus travels throughout Galilee, teaching about the Kingdom of God, performing miracles, and gathering disciples. His popularity grows, leading to increasing numbers of people seeking him out.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Disciples Discourage Parents
As Jesus is engaged in teaching and ministry, parents bring their young children to him, desiring him to lay hands on them and pray. The disciples, perhaps seeing Jesus as too busy or important for such a task, rebuke the parents and try to send them away.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Rebukes the Disciples
Jesus observes this interaction and expresses his displeasure with his disciples' actions. He calls the children to him, emphasizes that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these, and rebukes the disciples for trying to prevent them from coming.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Blesses the Children
Jesus takes the children in his arms, lays his hands on them, and blesses them, demonstrating their importance and his care for them.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Continues Journey
After this encounter, Jesus continues his journey, moving towards Judea and eventually Jerusalem, where he will face his crucifixion.
This parallel account provides a fuller picture, emphasizing Jesus's displeasure with the disciples' actions and his clear declaration that the kingdom of God belongs to those who are like children, adding depth to the original event.
Luke 18:15-17Luke's Gospel specifically identifies the children as 'infants' (brephē), reinforcing the idea that Jesus welcomed even the very youngest, regardless of their ability to understand or consciously seek him, which challenges the disciples' assumptions.
Matthew 18:3Jesus's statement in Matthew 18:3, 'unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven,' directly connects the disciples' misunderstanding here to a broader principle about the humility and receptivity needed for God's kingdom.
Genesis 48:14-20This Old Testament passage shows Jacob laying his hands on his grandsons to bless them, illustrating the ancient Jewish custom of imposing hands as a sign of blessing and consecration, which provides context for Jesus's actions.
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 rebuked the people, not the children themselves, because they thought it was beneath Jesus' dignity to be bothered with infants. This reveals a profound misunderstanding of Jesus' mission; they saw him as a great prophet, but missed that his power extended to the smallest and most helpless.
Jesus has just been discussing the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven and the importance of humility, when parents begin bringing their young children to him. They want Jesus to lay his hands on them and pray, a Jewish custom signifying a blessing or consecration. However, his disciples, perhaps thinking the children too young or a distraction to Jesus' important work, rebuke the parents and try to send them away.
Jesus has just been discussing the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven and the importance of humility, when parents begin bringing their young children to him. They want Jesus to lay his hands on them and pray, a Jewish custom signifying a blessing or consecration. However, his disciples, perhaps thinking the children too young or a distraction to Jesus' important work, rebuke the parents and try to send them away.
"Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”" — The disciples rebuked the people, not the children themselves, because they thought it was beneath Jesus' dignity to be bothered with infants. This reveals a profound misunderstanding of Jesus' missi…
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Last reviewed October 2026
