Luke 18:15

KJV

¶ And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when [his] disciples saw [it], they rebuked them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} they brought {G4374} unto him {G846} also {G2532} infants {G1025}, that {G2443} he would touch {G680} them {G846}: but {G1161} when his disciples {G3101} saw {G1492} it, they rebuked {G2008} them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

People brought him babies to touch; but when the talmidim saw the people doing this, they rebuked them.

Berean Standard Bible

Now people were even bringing their babies to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them. And when the disciples saw this, they rebuked those who brought them.

American Standard Version

And they were bringing unto him also their babes, that he should touch them: but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 18:15 introduces a poignant scene where individuals bring infants to Jesus, seeking His touch and blessing, only to be met with a sharp rebuke from His disciples. This incident serves as a crucial prelude to Jesus' teaching on the nature of the Kingdom of God, highlighting the stark contrast between human perceptions of status and significance, and God's radical embrace of the humble and vulnerable. It underscores the disciples' recurring misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and the inclusive, counter-cultural values of the Kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Luke's narrative, following the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in [Luke 18:9-14](/luke/18-9-14 "The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector"), which emphasizes humility and repentance as prerequisites for righteousness before God. Immediately after the disciples' rebuke, Jesus delivers His famous teaching in [Luke 18:16-17](/luke/18-16-17 "Jesus Blesses the Children and Teaches on Childlike Faith"), declaring that the Kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it like a little child. This sequence creates a powerful thematic progression, moving from the self-righteousness of the proud to the humble dependence exemplified by children, directly challenging the disciples' exclusionary mindset. The passage also precedes the encounter with the Rich Young Ruler in [Luke 18:18-30](/luke/18-18-30 "The Rich Young Ruler"), further developing themes of discipleship, wealth, and the radical demands of the Kingdom.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world and within ancient Jewish society, children, especially infants, generally held a low social status. They were not considered full members of society until they reached a certain age, and their presence was often seen as a nuisance or an impediment to serious matters. Unlike adults, they had no legal rights, social standing, or economic contribution. Rabbis typically did not engage with children in public teaching settings, as their focus was on instructing adult men. The act of bringing infants to Jesus for a blessing, therefore, was an act of profound faith and desperation on the part of the parents, who likely saw Jesus as a unique figure capable of bestowing divine favor, regardless of social convention. The disciples' reaction, while seemingly harsh to modern ears, was likely rooted in this prevailing cultural view, coupled with a desire to "protect" Jesus from what they perceived as an unnecessary distraction from His more "important" ministry to adults.
* **Key Themes:** This passage contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in Luke's Gospel. It highlights **Jesus' radical inclusivity and compassion**, demonstrating His willingness to engage with and value those marginalized by society, a theme consistently seen in His interactions with tax collectors, sinners, and the poor (e.g., [Luke 5:27-32](/luke/5-27-32 "Jesus Calls Levi and Eats with Sinners")). It also exposes the **disciples' ongoing misunderstanding of the Kingdom of God**, as they repeatedly struggle to grasp its counter-cultural values of humility, service, and radical love, often prioritizing worldly status or power (e.g., their argument over who was greatest in [Luke 9:46-48](/luke/9-46-48 "The Disciples Dispute Who Is Greatest")). Most importantly, it sets the stage for the theme of **childlike faith as a prerequisite for entering the Kingdom**, emphasizing that humility, trust, and dependence—qualities often associated with young children—are essential for receiving God's grace, directly contrasting with the self-sufficiency of the proud (as seen in the preceding parable in [Luke 18:9-14](/luke/18-9-14 "The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **infants (Greek, _bréphos'_):** This term specifically denotes a very young child, a baby, or even a fetus, as seen in [Luke 1:41](/luke/1-41 "Elizabeth's Baby Leaps"). Its use here emphasizes the extreme youth and complete dependence of those being brought to Jesus. They are not toddlers or older children capable of understanding or articulating a request, but helpless babes, underscoring the parents' deep faith in Jesus' power and compassion, and making the disciples' dismissal of them all the more striking.
* **disciples (Greek, _mathētḗs'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to learn," a disciple is a learner or pupil. Here, the term refers to Jesus' closest followers, those who were meant to embody and propagate His teachings. Their action of rebuking highlights their continued struggle to fully grasp the radical nature of Jesus' ministry and the Kingdom values He proclaimed, despite their proximity to Him and their role as His students.
* **rebuked (Greek, _epitimáō'_):** This verb means "to tax upon," "censure," "admonish," or "forbid." It implies a strong, authoritative disapproval, often used in the Gospels when Jesus rebukes demons or Peter. The disciples' use of such a strong term against those bringing infants reveals their misguided attempt to control access to Jesus, perhaps out of a desire to maintain order, protect Jesus' time, or simply reflecting their own cultural biases against the perceived insignificance of children.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they brought unto him also infants":** This clause describes the initiative of unnamed individuals—likely parents or guardians—who, despite societal norms, recognized something uniquely compassionate and powerful in Jesus. The inclusion of "also" (G2532, _kaí_) suggests that this was part of a larger pattern of people bringing various individuals to Jesus for healing or blessing, highlighting His reputation for accessibility. The term "infants" (G1025, _bréphos_) stresses their extreme vulnerability and dependence, making their inclusion in Jesus' ministry particularly significant.
* **"that he would touch them":** This phrase reveals the specific desire of those bringing the infants. In the ancient world, a touch from a revered person was believed to convey blessing, healing, or spiritual power. They sought not merely an acknowledgment but a physical, tangible impartation of Jesus' grace and favor upon their helpless children, signifying their deep faith in His benevolent authority.
* **"but when [his] disciples saw [it], they rebuked them":** The conjunction "but" (G1161, _dé_) introduces a sharp contrast, highlighting the immediate and negative reaction of Jesus' disciples. Their "seeing" (G1492, _eídō_) led directly to their "rebuking" (G2008, _epitimáō_), a strong word implying censure or prohibition. This action reveals their misunderstanding of Jesus' mission, their adherence to conventional social hierarchies, and their failure to grasp the inclusive, humble nature of the Kingdom of God that Jesus was inaugurating. They perceived the infants as a distraction or an inconvenience, rather than as recipients of divine grace.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 18:15 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Contrast**, setting up the immediate opposition between the actions of the people bringing the infants (an act of faith and hope) and the disciples' reaction (an act of exclusion and misunderstanding). This contrast is further heightened by the **Irony** of the situation: those closest to Jesus, who should best understand His heart for the marginalized, are the ones who create a barrier, while the seemingly insignificant and vulnerable are those who approach Him with simple faith. The scene also functions as **Foreshadowing**, preparing the reader for Jesus' subsequent teaching on childlike faith, making His words in [Luke 18:16-17](/luke/18-16-17 "Jesus Teaches on Childlike Faith") even more impactful by demonstrating the very attitude the disciples lacked. Finally, the **Symbolism** of the "infants" themselves is crucial; they represent not just literal children but all who are humble, dependent, and without worldly status, those whom the Kingdom of God truly belongs to.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 18:15 serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of God's Kingdom and the radical inclusivity of Jesus' ministry. It challenges human-centric notions of worth and importance, asserting that access to God's grace is not predicated on age, social status, or intellectual capacity, but on a posture of humble dependence. The disciples' error underscores a recurring theme in the Gospels: the difficulty even for those closest to Jesus to fully grasp the counter-cultural values of the Kingdom, which prioritize the marginalized and the vulnerable. God's Kingdom is presented as an upside-down reality where the last are first, and the least are greatest. This passage teaches that true spiritual maturity involves shedding pride and embracing a childlike trust in God's provision and love, recognizing our inherent dependence on Him.

* [Matthew 19:13-15](/matthew/19-13-15 "Jesus Blesses the Children")
* [Mark 10:13-16](/mark/10-13-16 "Jesus and the Little Children")
* [1 Corinthians 1:26-29](/1_corinthians/1-26-29 "God Chooses the Weak and Lowly")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage calls us to a profound self-examination regarding our own attitudes toward those we might consider "insignificant" or "inconvenient." Do we, like the disciples, inadvertently create barriers to Jesus, perhaps by prioritizing efficiency, social status, or our own comfort over radical hospitality and compassion? The scene with the infants reminds us that the Kingdom of God is open to all, especially those who are most vulnerable and dependent. It challenges us to cultivate a welcoming spirit, ensuring that our churches and communities are places where everyone, regardless of age, background, or perceived contribution, feels valued and can encounter Christ. Furthermore, Jesus' subsequent teaching (Luke 18:16-17) compels us to embrace the very qualities of these infants: humility, trust, and complete reliance on God. This "childlike faith" is not childishness, but a profound recognition of our need for a Savior, allowing us to receive the Kingdom as a gift, rather than attempting to earn it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my community, inadvertently create barriers for certain people to come to Jesus?**
* **How can I cultivate a more welcoming and inclusive posture, particularly towards the vulnerable and marginalized?**
* **What does it mean for me to "receive the Kingdom of God as a little child," and how can I grow in childlike humility and dependence on God?**
* **Are there areas of my life where I am relying on my own strength or status rather than trusting fully in God?**

### FAQ

**Why did the disciples rebuke those bringing the infants to Jesus?**

Answer: The disciples likely rebuked those bringing infants for a combination of reasons rooted in their cultural context and their misunderstanding of Jesus' mission. In ancient Jewish society, children, especially infants, held a low social status and were often not considered important enough to interrupt a rabbi's teaching. The disciples may have viewed the infants as a distraction, an inconvenience, or an unnecessary interruption to Jesus' more "serious" work of teaching adults. They might also have been trying to protect Jesus from what they perceived as a trivial demand on His time or maintain order. However, their action ultimately revealed their failure to grasp the radical inclusivity and humility central to the Kingdom of God that Jesus was inaugurating, which valued the marginalized and vulnerable.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 18:15, with its depiction of the disciples' misguided rebuke and Jesus' subsequent embrace of the infants, powerfully foreshadows the heart of the Gospel and Christ's redemptive work. The infants, utterly dependent and without merit, represent humanity's spiritual condition before God—helpless and in need of divine grace. Just as Jesus welcomed these little ones, He welcomes all who come to Him in humble faith, regardless of their perceived status or worth. His rebuke of the disciples' exclusionary behavior reveals His mission to break down all barriers to God's presence, fulfilling the prophetic vision of a Kingdom where the humble are exalted and the proud are brought low ([Luke 1:52-53](/luke/1-52-53 "Mary's Song: The Magnificat")). Jesus, the [Good Shepherd](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus the Good Shepherd"), gathers the "little ones" into His fold, demonstrating that His Kingdom is not built on human power or social standing, but on divine love and grace freely given to those who recognize their need. His ultimate act of welcome came on the cross, where He became the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), making it possible for all, even the most "insignificant" in human eyes, to enter into a relationship with God through simple, childlike faith ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Grace Through Faith")). He is the one who [did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve"), embodying the very humility He calls His followers to embrace.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 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.

Matthew 19:15

And he laid [his] hands on them, and departed thence.

Mark 10:13

¶ And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and [his] disciples rebuked those that brought [them].

Mark 10:16

And he took them up in his arms, put [his] hands upon them, and blessed them.

1 Samuel 1:24

And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child [was] young.

Luke 9:49

And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.

Luke 9:50

And Jesus said unto him, Forbid [him] not: for he that is not against us is for us.