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Commentary on Luke 18 verses 15–17
This passage of story we had both in Matthew and Mark; it very fitly follows here after the story of the publican, as a confirmation of the truth which was to be illustrated by that parable, that those shall be accepted with God, and honoured, who humble themselves, and for them Christ has blessings in store, the choicest and best of blessings. Observe here, 1. Those who are themselves blessed in Christ should desire to have their children also blessed in him, and should hereby testify the true honour they have for Christ, by their making use of him, and the true love they have for their children, by their concern about their souls. They brought to him infants, very young, not able to go, sucking children, as some think. None are too little, too young, to bring to Christ, who knows how to show kindness to them that are not capable of doing service to him. 2. One gracious touch of Christ's will make our children happy. They brought infants to him, that he might touch them in token of the application of his grace and Spirit to them, for that always makes way for his blessing, which likewise they expected: see Isa 44:3. I will first pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and then my blessing upon thine offspring. 3. It is no strange thing for those who make their application to Jesus Christ, for themselves or for their children, to meet with discouragement, even from those who should countenance and encourage them: When the disciples saw it, they thought, if this were admitted, it would bring endless trouble upon their Master, and therefore they rebuked them, and frowned upon them. The spouse complained of the watchmen, Sol 3:3; Sol 5:7. 4. Many whom the disciples rebuke the Master invites: Jesus called them unto him, when, upon the disciples' check, they were retiring. They did not appeal from the disciples to the Master, but the Master took cognizance of their despised cause. 5. It is the mind of Christ that little children should be brought to him, and presented as living sacrifices to his honour: "Suffer little children to come to me, and forbid them not; let nothing be done to hinder them, for they shall be as welcome as any." The promise is to us, and to our seed; and therefore he that has the dispensing of promised blessings will bid them welcome to him with us. 6. The children of those who belong to the kingdom of God do likewise belong to that kingdom, as the children of freemen are freemen. If the parents be members of the visible church, the children are so too; for, if the root be holy, the branches are so. 7. So welcome are children to Christ that those grown people are most welcome to him who have in them most of the disposition of children (Luk 18:17): Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, that is, receive the benefits of it with humility and thankfulness, not pretending to merit them as the Pharisee did, but gladly owning himself indebted to free grace for them, as the publican did; unless a man be brought to this self-denying frame he shall in no wise enter into that kingdom. They must receive the kingdom of God as children, receive their estates by descent and inheritance, not by purchase, and call it their Father's gift.
(in Reg. Brev. ad int. 217.) We shall receive the kingdom of God as a child if we are disposed towards our Lord's teaching as a child under instruction, never contradicting nor disputing with his masters, but trustfully and teachably imbibing learning.
It may be thought strange by some that the disciples wished to prevent the little children from coming to our Lord, as it is said, when they saw it, they rebuked them. But we must understand in this either a mystery, or the effect of their love to Him. For they did it not from envy or harsh feeling towards the children, but they manifested a holy zeal in their Lord's service, that he might not be pressed by the crowds. Our own interest must be given up where an injury is threatened to God. But we may understand the mystery to be, that they desired the Jewish people to be first saved, of whom they were according to the flesh.
They knew indeed the mystery, that to both nations the call was to be made, (for they entreated for the Canaanitish woman,) but perhaps they were still ignorant of the order. It follows, But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children, &c. One age is not preferred to another, else it were hurtful to grow up. But why does He say that children are fitter for the kingdom of heaven? It is because they are ignorant of guile, are incapable of theft, dare not return a blow, are unconscious of lust, have no desire for wealth, honours, or ambition. But to be ignorant of these things is not virtue, we must also despise them. For virtue consists not in our inability to sin, but in our unwillingness. Childhood then is not meant here, but that goodness which rivals the simplicity of childhood.
Lastly, our Saviour expressed this when He said, Verily I say unto you, Whosoever will not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, &c. What child were Christ's Apostles to imitate but Him of whom Esaias speaks, Unto us a Child is given? (Isai. 9:6.) Who when He was reviled, reviled not again. (1 Pet. 2.) So that there is in childhood a certain venerable antiquity, and in old age a childlike innocence.
Why does he say that children are fit for the kingdom of heaven? Perhaps it is because they do not know spitefulness, have not learned to deceive, dare not strike back, neglect to search for wealth, and do not work after honor and ambition.… Childhood is not meant, but rather goodness rivaling childlike simplicity. It is not a virtue to be unable to sin, but to be unwilling to do so and to retain perseverance of will, so that the will imitates childhood and the person imitates nature.
(Serm. 115.) To whom are they brought to be touched, but to the Saviour? And as being the Saviour they are presented to Him to be saved, who came to save that which was lost. But with regard to these innocents, when were they lost? The Apostle says, By one man sin entered into the world. (Rom. 5:12.) Let then the little children come as the sick to a physician, the lost to their Redeemer.
Mothers brought their babes. They wanted his blessing and begged for their infants the touch of his holy hand. The blessed disciples rebuked them for doing this, not because they envied the babes; rather they were paying him due respect as their teacher and preventing him from getting unnecessarily tired. They placed much value on order.Even until now, infants are brought near and blessed by Christ by means of consecrated hands. The pattern of the act continues even until this day and descends to us from the custom of Christ as its fountain. Only now, the bringing of infants does not take place in an unbecoming or disorderly manner but with proper order, solemnity and reverence.
Hence our Lord pointedly says, of such, not "of these," to show that to character, not to age, is the kingdom given, and to such as have a childlike innocence and simplicity is the promise of the reward.
They were bringing children to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. And this lesson, full of the teaching of humility, shows that the innocent and simple can reach the grace of the Lord. The disciples rebuked those who were bringing them, not because they did not want the children to be blessed by the Savior's hand and voice, but because, not yet having complete faith, they thought he would be exhausted by the importunity of those presenting the children, like a human.
After what He had said, our Lord teaches us a lesson of humility by His own example; He does not turn away the little children who are brought to Him, but graciously receives them.
The wise men of the Gentiles therefore who seek for wisdom in a mystery, which is the kingdom of God, and will not receive this without the evidence of logical proof, are rightly shut out from this kingdom.
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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
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
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 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.
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
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). 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, 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). He is the one who did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many, embodying the very humility He calls His followers to embrace.