13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away.” (Matthew 19:13–15 (ESV)
This familiar narrative is also recorded in Mark 10:13–16 and Luke 18:15–17. In today’s text, we witness the disciples rebuking the parents but Jesus receiving the children.
There is an obvious close association between marriage and family. Ordinarily, marriage eventually results in couples having children. In the immediate aftermath of Jesus’ teachings on marriage and divorce (Matt. 19:3-12), Matthew records an incident between parents and their children with Jesus and His disciples.
Parents were bringing their children to Jesus so that He might lay His hands on them and pray. The word children (παιδίον; paidion) refers to children younger than the age of puberty. To lay hands represented a blessing from one to another. Children, then and now, represent the defenseless and dependent. Jesus is our defender and sovereign Lord.
“Children! How Jesus loved them! (Matt. 18:2-4). It is not at all surprising therefore that certain followers of Jesus brought their little ones to him, so that he might lay his hands on them, blessing them and praying for them. How big were these little ones? There are those who, basing their theory on the fact that the word used in the original for “little children” is in the New Testament by no means confined to those very young in years (for proof see John 21:5; 1 John 2:18, 3:7), believe that those who were brought to Jesus were children of elementary school age or even older. However, Luke 18:15 informs us that these “little children” were actually “infants.” See Luke 1:44 (an unborn babe). Cf. 1 Peter 2:2. They—or at least many of them—must have been “carried” to Jesus in the arms of their parents,” explains Dr. William Hendriksen.
However, the disciples would have none of it. Jesus, and by extension the disciples, were too important to be bothered by parents and their kids. The disciple viewed children as a distraction. They rebuked and disapproved of this interruption.
Jesus welcomed the children. He said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” The phrase “let the children come” was a commanding rebuke to the disciples. Jesus told His disciples to stop what they were doing in preventing parents from bringing their children to Him.
Jesus explained the kingdom of heaven is likened to little children. A child’s trust, commitment, dependence and worship is indicative of God’s rule and reign in believers’ lives. Therefore, Jesus laid His hands on them and then went on His way to Jerusalem.
Today’s text may provide comfort to those parents whose children have died prior to birth, at birth or in infancy. Are these little ones safe in the arms of God?
“These children were too young to have exercised personal faith. See Luke 18:15, where Luke refers to them as “infants.” Therefore, it is all the more significant that Christ used them as an illustration of those who make up “the kingdom of heaven” (cf. Matt. 18:1–4). Mark 10:16 also says he “blessed them.” God often shows a special mercy to those who because of age or mental deficiency are incapable of either faith or willful unbelief (cf. Jonah 4:11). They are called “innocent” in Jer. 19:4. This does not mean they are free from the inherited guilt and moral corruption of Adam’s sin (see notes on Rom. 5:12–19), but rather that they are not culpable in the same sense as those whose sins are premeditated and deliberate. Jesus’ words here suggest that God’s mercy is graciously extended to infants so that those who die are sovereignly regenerated and granted entrance into the kingdom—not because they are deserving of heaven, but because God in his grace chooses to redeem them,” explains Dr. John MacArthur. See 2 Sam. 12:1-23 and Mark 10:14.
Have a blessed day in the Lord. Pray for the Lord’s blessing upon and salvation of your children.
Soli deo Gloria!
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