Mark 10:13-16 Meaning: Why Jesus Welcomed the Children |
13They were bringing to him little children, that he should touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who were bringing them.
14But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation and said to them, “Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t forbid them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.
15Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”
16He took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
13And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
14But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
15Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
16And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
13And they were bringing unto him little children, that he should touch them: and the disciples rebuked them.
14But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me; forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God.
15Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein.
16And he took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands upon them.
13And they were bringing to him children, that he might touch them, and the disciples were rebuking those bringing them,
14and Jesus having seen, was much displeased, and he said to them, `Suffer the children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the reign of God;
15verily I say to you, whoever may not receive the reign of God, as a child--he may not enter into it;'
16and having taken them in his arms, having put his hands upon them, he was blessing them.
13And they brought little children to him that he might touch them. But the disciples rebuked those that brought [them].
14But Jesus seeing [it], was indignant, and said to them, Suffer the little children to come to me; forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God.
15Verily I say to you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall in no wise enter into it.
16And having taken them in his arms, having laid his hands on them, he blessed them.
Meaning in one sentence
Why did the disciples rebuke parents bringing children to Jesus? Mark 10:13-16 shows Jesus correcting a misunderstanding of who belongs in God's kingdom.
Context
Mark places this scene right after a tense conversation about divorce and before a rich young ruler walks away sad. Jesus is traveling toward Jerusalem, and the crowds press in. People bring their little ones to him for a blessing, a simple trusting act. But the disciples step in, turning them away. They apparently think children are too small, too unimportant to take up his time. Jesus' response is startling. He is indignant, not with the parents but with his own followers. He commands them to let the children come, and he says something that turns their whole understanding of the kingdom upside down: it belongs to people like these.
Key Words
The Greek word behind 'was much displeased' is strong. Aganakteō means actual indignation, grief and anger together. Jesus is not mildly annoyed. Something precious was being blocked from him.
The word Jesus uses for receiving the kingdom is dechomai. It means to take hold of, to welcome, to grant access. This is not a passive waiting. It is the same verb used of welcoming a guest into your home. A child does not negotiate the terms of entry; they simply come when invited.
Mark saves a rare verb for the blessing. Kateulogeō appears only here in the New Testament. It means to bless fervently, with emphasis. Jesus draws the children into his arms and pours out generous, emphatic blessing. He gives more than anyone asked for.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have found different emphasis in this scene. Clarke, a Methodist, sees it as grounds for infant baptism: if Christ embraced children, the church should not withhold baptism from them. Matthew Henry, Reformed, sees encouragement for all who feel weak and childlike, the kingdom welcomes the helpless. The Cambridge Bible notes that Jesus says 'of such' not 'of these,' pointing to the childlike disposition needed for the kingdom, not only literal children. Gill, a Baptist, stresses the humility and teachability of a child. Despite these differences, all agree: Jesus corrects a narrow view of the kingdom and opens the door to the smallest.
A common misunderstanding
Living This Out
This week, notice where you act like the disciples: guarding Jesus from people you consider inconvenient or unworthy. Maybe you think a certain kind of faith, knowledge, or maturity is required before someone can approach him. Instead, Jesus invites you to come like a child yourself, not with a resume but with empty hands. Let someone you have been keeping at arm's length know that Jesus welcomes them. That might be a child in your home, a new believer, or someone who seems not to have it all together.
Main takeaway: You enter the kingdom not by earning it, but by receiving it like a child, with open hands and simple trust.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
The disciples thought the children were too small for Jesus. But Jesus was upset with his disciples. He picked up the children, hugged them, and blessed them. Jesus always has time for you.
For ages 9, 12
Why did the disciples try to stop the children? They probably thought Jesus needed to spend time on more important people. But Jesus showed that the kingdom of God is for everyone who comes humbly, like a child. You don't need to be old or smart or good enough. Jesus welcomes you with open arms, just as you are.
Questions People Ask
Why did the disciples rebuke those bringing children to Jesus?
The disciples likely thought children were unimportant compared to the serious teaching Jesus was doing. They may have wanted to protect his time and reputation. But Jesus strongly corrected them, showing that the kingdom is for the humble and the least. He was indignant that they would block anyone from coming to him.
What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God like a little child?
It means coming with open hands and trust, not with a sense of entitlement or self-sufficiency. A child does not try to earn a gift or prove they deserve it. They simply receive. Jesus says that unless you receive the kingdom that way, with total dependence and humility, you cannot enter it.
Does this passage teach infant baptism?
Christians differ on this. Some see Jesus' welcoming of children as a basis for baptizing infants, since he says the kingdom belongs to such. Others emphasize the childlike disposition of faith and see personal belief as necessary. Both traditions seek to be faithful to the text and to Jesus' heart for children.
Why was Jesus indignant with the disciples?
Jesus was angry that his disciples were blocking people from coming to him. The Greek word 'aganakteō' means deep displeasure mixed with grief. He saw that their actions contradicted the very nature of his kingdom, which opens to the humble and the small, not just the important or mature.
Are children automatically saved because of this passage?
The passage says the kingdom belongs to 'such as these,' which many interpret as referring to the childlike disposition needed to receive the kingdom, not that all children are saved without faith. It does show Jesus' special care for children and his desire that they come to him, which gives confidence to parents who bring their children to Christ.
For pastors & researchers
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