Jesus’ statement “Let the little children come to me” is found in three of the four Gospels – Matthew, Mark and Luke. In order to fully understand why Jesus made this statement, we need to examine the context around it in each of these accounts.
Matthew 19:13-15
In Matthew’s account, Jesus has just finished teaching about marriage and divorce. Some Pharisees had tried to test Jesus by asking him if divorce was lawful. After responding to their question, Matthew tells us:
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.” And he laid his hands on them and went away. (Matthew 19:13-15 ESV)
A few key things to notice here:
- Children are being brought to Jesus for him to lay hands on them and pray for them
- The disciples try to prevent this from happening, viewing the children as unimportant
- Jesus corrects them, welcoming the children to come
- Jesus says the kingdom of heaven belongs to ones such as these children
- Jesus lays hands on the children, prays for them, and continues on his way
In this account, Jesus is making a strong statement about the value of children. His disciples did not see children as important enough to bother Jesus with. But Jesus rebukes this attitude. He takes time for the children, values them, prays for them and declares the kingdom of God is made up of those like them.
Mark 10:13-16
Mark’s account is very similar to Matthew’s. The surrounding context is the same – Jesus has been questioned about divorce then we read:
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. (Mark 10:13-16 ESV)
Again, the key elements are there:
- People bringing children for Jesus to touch/bless them
- Disciples try to stop them
- Jesus is angry at the disciples for this
- Jesus welcomes the children
- Jesus says the kingdom belongs to ones such as these
- Jesus blesses the children, holding them in his arms
This account from Mark highlights Jesus’ care and concern for children. He is indignant that the disciples would hinder them from coming to him. He not only welcomes them, but takes them in his arms and blesses each one.
Luke 18:15-17
Luke’s account provides a few additional details about this interaction:
Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Luke 18:15-17 ESV)
Notable points from Luke’s account:
- The people were bringing infants, in addition to other children
- Again, disciples try to stop them
- Jesus calls the children to come to him
- Jesus says the kingdom is made up of those like children
Luke highlights that even infants were being brought to Jesus, demonstrating his care for even the youngest and most helpless in society. Though the disciples did not think Jesus had time for infants, Jesus welcomes them.
Why Did Jesus Make This Statement?
Looking at all three Gospel accounts, we can draw some conclusions about why Jesus made this important statement about children:
- To demonstrate the value of children – In Jesus’ day, children were not highly valued in society. Jesus’ welcoming of children shows how he valued them as important in God’s kingdom.
- To correct his disciples’ wrong attitude – The disciples repeatedly tried to hinder children from coming to Jesus. Jesus corrected this wrong attitude and welcomed the children.
- To give an example of necessary traits to enter God’s kingdom – Jesus said that the kingdom of God belongs to “such as these” (children). One must receive the kingdom with childlike faith.
- To show care for the powerless and vulnerable – Society often overlooked weak groups like children and infants. Jesus purposefully made time to welcome them.
- To bless the children – An important part of this account is that Jesus laid hands on the children and blessed them through prayer.
- To show children as models of faith – Children came to Jesus in simple faith, nothindered by pride or pretense. Jesus commended this approach.
- To offer hope for children – By saying the kingdom belonged to them, Jesus offered hope of salvation and blessing to children.
In summary, Jesus made this statement and acted in this way to show the value of children in God’s eyes. Though the world may overlook them, Jesus welcomes children and offers them the blessing of being part of His kingdom. This was a countercultural statement in Jesus’ day, and his example should continue to shape the way the church treats and values children today.
Other Relevant Verses About Jesus and Children
There are a few other passages that give additional insight about Jesus’ interactions with children:
“But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Luke 18:16 ESV)
This passage in Luke 18 reiterates Jesus’ care for children and the importance he placed on them coming to him.
“And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:13-14 ESV)
Mark 10 highlights that Jesus was angry when his disciples tried to prevent children from approaching him. This shows how strongly Jesus felt about welcoming children.
“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” (Matthew 19:13-14 ESV)
In Matthew 19, Jesus prays for the children, showing his care for them by ministering to them in this tangible way.
These verses provide a consistent picture of Jesus caring deeply about children coming to him. He corrected his disciples’ wrong view that children were not worth Jesus’ time. Instead, he welcomed them, prayed for them, and valued them highly in God’s kingdom.
Applying This to the Church Today
Jesus’ example with children is an important model for churches and families today. Based on how Jesus treated children, we see some key applications for ministry:
- Churches should welcome children and incorporate them into regular services and ministry activities.
- Church leaders should be patient to pray for children rather than seeing them as a distraction.
- Parents should bring their children to church and encourage their spiritual growth.
- Discipleship training is needed for children, even at very young ages.
- Programs that minister to children with special needs are a worthy way to follow Jesus’ example.
- Families should intentionally bless their children through prayer, touch, and words of Scripture.
- Church budgets should provide resources for effective children’s ministry.
- Congregations should affirm and thank those who minister to children.
Following Jesus’ pattern goes beyond just letting children come to church. It means Valuing children, making room for them, touching them with prayer and care. When churches actively welcome children as Jesus did, they pass on the blessing of Christ to the next generation.
As Matthew 19:14 says, “for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
