Luke 18:16

KJV

But Jesus called them [unto him], and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} Jesus {G2424} called {G4341} them {G846} unto him, and said {G2036}, Suffer {G863} little children {G3813} to come {G2064} unto {G4314} me {G3165}, and {G2532} forbid {G2967} them {G846} not {G3361}: for {G1063} of such {G5108} is {G2076} the kingdom {G932} of God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

However, Yeshua called the children to him and said, “Let the children come to me, and stop hindering them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

But Jesus called them unto him, saying, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 18:16 captures Jesus' profound declaration regarding the nature of God's kingdom and the disposition required to enter it. In stark contrast to His disciples' attempts to dismiss them, Jesus calls for children to be brought to Him, unequivocally stating that the kingdom of God belongs to those who possess the humble, trusting, and dependent qualities exemplified by little children. This verse underscores Jesus' radical redefinition of greatness and His welcoming heart towards the vulnerable, revealing that God's reign is accessible to those who approach Him with simple faith and unadulterated receptivity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal interaction immediately follows two parables in [Luke 18](/luke/18 "Luke Chapter 18 - Parables on Prayer and Humility") that emphasize prayer and humility: the parable of the persistent widow and the unrighteous judge ([Luke 18:1-8](/luke/18-1-8 "The Parable of the Persistent Widow")) and the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector ([Luke 18:9-14](/luke/18-9-14 "The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector")). Both parables highlight the importance of humble, persistent prayer and the danger of self-righteousness. The bringing of children to Jesus, and the disciples' subsequent rebuke mentioned in [Luke 18:15](/luke/18-15 "Luke 18:15 - Disciples Rebuke Those Bringing Children"), sets the stage for Jesus' direct teaching on the character required for kingdom entry, serving as a practical illustration of the humility He just advocated. This episode also foreshadows His later teachings on servanthood and the valuing of the "least among you."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman and Jewish societies of Jesus' time, children generally held a low social status. They were not considered significant members of society, often viewed as property or dependents rather than individuals with inherent worth or rights. Their testimony was not admissible in court, and they lacked social standing. Rabbis typically focused their teaching on adult men. The disciples' attempt to turn the children away ([Luke 18:15](/luke/18-15 "Luke 18:15 - Disciples Rebuke Those Bringing Children")) reflects this prevailing cultural attitude, where children were seen as a distraction or an inconvenience to important matters. Jesus' embrace of the children, therefore, was a profoundly counter-cultural act, subverting societal norms and challenging His disciples' conventional understanding of status and importance within God's economy.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and Jesus' ministry. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **God's Kingdom and its Accessibility**, emphasizing that entry into God's reign is not based on worldly status, power, or self-achieved righteousness, but on a humble, receptive heart. This aligns with Jesus' consistent ministry to the marginalized and overlooked, such as tax collectors and sinners. Secondly, it highlights **Humility and Dependence** as essential virtues, contrasting sharply with the pride exemplified by the Pharisee in the preceding parable ([Luke 18:9-14](/luke/18-9-14 "The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector")). The children embody the very qualities of dependence and trust that adults must recover to genuinely receive the kingdom. Finally, it underscores **Jesus' Compassion and Radical Inclusivity**, demonstrating His profound love and value for all people, especially those considered insignificant by society, a theme consistently woven throughout [Luke's Gospel](/luke/1 "The Gospel of Luke").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Suffer (Greek, _aphíēmi'_):** This verb, often translated as "suffer" in older English versions, means "to allow," "permit," or "let go." It signifies Jesus' explicit command to remove any hindrance or objection to the children approaching Him. It's a strong directive, dismantling the disciples' protective actions and asserting the children's right to access Jesus. The term implies a release from restriction, emphasizing Jesus' desire for unhindered access.
* **little children (Greek, _paidíon'_):** This diminutive noun refers to a "childling," an infant, or a young child, emphasizing their tender age and inherent vulnerability. While it can figuratively refer to an immature Christian, in this context, it clearly denotes actual young children. Their smallness, dependence, and lack of worldly sophistication are central to Jesus' teaching, making them a perfect illustration of the qualities required for kingdom entry.
* **such (Greek, _toioûtos'_):** This demonstrative pronoun means "of this sort" or "of this kind." It is crucial because Jesus is not merely saying the kingdom belongs *to* literal children, but *to those who are like* children in their disposition. It points to the character, qualities, and spiritual posture exemplified by children—namely, humility, dependence, trust, and a lack of self-sufficiency.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Jesus called them [unto him], and said,"**: This opening clause highlights Jesus' decisive and authoritative action. The conjunction "But" (G1161, _dé_) indicates a contrast to the disciples' previous action of rebuking those who brought children. Jesus actively summons the children, demonstrating His intentionality and overturning the prevailing social hierarchy and His disciples' misguided judgment. His call is a direct invitation, asserting His authority over the situation.
* **"Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not:"**: This is Jesus' direct command, a double imperative that is both positive ("Suffer little children to come unto me") and negative ("and forbid them not"). The repetition emphasizes the urgency and importance of His instruction. He desires unhindered access for the children, directly countering the disciples' attempts to block them. This command reveals Jesus' welcoming nature and His deep concern for those often overlooked.
* **"for of such is the kingdom of God."**: This crucial explanatory clause provides the reason for Jesus' command, introduced by "for" (G1063, _gár_). It reveals the profound theological truth at the heart of the passage. The phrase "of such" (G5108, _toioûtos_) clarifies that the kingdom of God does not belong exclusively to literal children, but to those who possess the *qualities* exemplified by children: humility, dependence, trust, and a lack of self-righteousness or worldly pretensions. It is a radical redefinition of who is truly great in God's eyes and who is fit to enter His sovereign reign.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 18:16 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Contrast** is central, immediately evident in Jesus' actions and words standing in stark opposition to the disciples' behavior in the preceding verse. While the disciples rebuke those bringing children, Jesus *calls* them, explicitly commanding "Suffer... and forbid them not." This highlights a fundamental difference in values and understanding of God's kingdom. The children themselves serve as a powerful **Symbolism** or **Metaphor** for the spiritual qualities necessary for kingdom entry. They are not merely recipients of blessing, but living illustrations of humility, dependence, and receptivity—qualities often lost in adulthood. This leads to an inherent **Paradox** or **Inversion**: those considered least important in society (children) are declared to embody the very essence of what it means to belong to God's kingdom. Jesus consistently uses such inversions (e.g., the last shall be first) to challenge conventional wisdom and reveal God's upside-down economy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 18:16 stands as a foundational text for understanding the nature of God's kingdom and the disposition required for its reception. It dismantles human-centric notions of worthiness, earned status, or intellectual prowess as prerequisites for entering God's sovereign rule. Instead, Jesus elevates the qualities inherent in children—humility, utter dependence, trust, and a lack of pretense—as the essential characteristics of those who truly belong to God's kingdom. This teaching profoundly challenges any form of self-righteousness or pride, echoing the themes of the preceding parables in [Luke 18](/luke/18 "Luke 18 - Parables on Prayer and Humility") and reinforcing the truth that God's grace is received, not earned. The kingdom is open to all who approach God with the simple, unadulterated faith of a child.

* [Matthew 18:3-4](/matthew/18-3-4 "Matthew 18:3-4 - Becoming Like Children")
* [Mark 10:14-15](/mark/10-14-15 "Mark 10:14-15 - Jesus Welcomes the Children")
* [1 Corinthians 14:20](/1_corinthians/14-20 "1 Corinthians 14:20 - Be Children in Malice, but Mature in Understanding")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 18:16 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting us to critically examine the posture of our own hearts before God. In a world that often values self-sufficiency, achievement, and outward status, Jesus calls us back to a radical simplicity. Are we approaching God with the humble, trusting dependence of a child, or are we burdened by our own perceived accomplishments, wisdom, or self-righteousness? This verse challenges us to shed the adult pretenses that hinder genuine relationship with our Creator, reminding us that true spiritual maturity often involves recovering a childlike faith—a willingness to receive grace, to trust implicitly, and to acknowledge our complete reliance on God. Furthermore, Jesus' welcome of the children compels us to extend that same radical inclusivity to others, ensuring that we never, by our attitudes or actions, become a barrier to anyone seeking to come to Christ, especially the vulnerable and overlooked in our communities.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific "childlike" qualities do I need to cultivate more deeply in my relationship with God?**
* **In what ways might my own pride or self-sufficiency be hindering my full reception of God's kingdom?**
* **How can I, and my community, better welcome and value those whom society often marginalizes, reflecting Jesus' heart for the vulnerable?**
* **Am I ever guilty of "forbidding" others from coming to Jesus, either directly or indirectly, through my attitudes or actions?**

### FAQ
**What does "suffer" mean in "Suffer little children to come unto me"?**

Answer: In this context, the King James Version's use of "suffer" (from the Greek G863, _aphíēmi_) means "allow," "permit," or "let." It is not referring to enduring hardship or pain. Jesus is giving a direct command to His disciples to stop preventing the children from coming to Him and to instead allow them unhindered access. This highlights His welcoming nature and His desire for all, especially the vulnerable, to approach Him freely.

**Does this verse mean that only literal children can enter the kingdom of God?**

Answer: No, Jesus is not stating that only literal children are eligible for the kingdom. The phrase "for of such is the kingdom of God" (from the Greek G5108, _toioûtos_, meaning "of this sort") indicates that the kingdom belongs to those who possess the *qualities* exemplified by children. These qualities include humility, dependence, trust, innocence, and a lack of self-importance or pride. As Jesus states in [Matthew 18:3](/matthew/18-3 "Matthew 18:3 - Becoming Like Children"), "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." It's about the spiritual posture, not the biological age.

**Why were the disciples trying to prevent the children from coming to Jesus?**

Answer: As mentioned in [Luke 18:15](/luke/18-15 "Luke 18:15 - Disciples Rebuke Those Bringing Children"), the disciples were "rebuking" those who brought the children. This likely stemmed from a combination of cultural norms and a misunderstanding of Jesus' priorities. In that society, children held low social status and were often considered insignificant or a nuisance. The disciples might have seen them as a distraction from Jesus' more "important" ministry to adults, or they might have been trying to protect Jesus from being bothered. Their actions reveal a conventional, worldly view of importance, which Jesus immediately corrected.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 18:16, with its profound declaration that "of such is the kingdom of God," finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Christ Himself. Jesus, the King of this very kingdom, perfectly embodies the childlike qualities He commends. His entire earthly life was characterized by profound humility, utter dependence on the Father, and complete receptivity to God's will, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). He did not come to be served, but to serve ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")), demonstrating the ultimate humble posture. Furthermore, the kingdom of God, which Jesus declares belongs to the childlike, is not entered by human effort or merit, but by grace through faith in Him. He is the door ([John 10:9](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - Jesus is the Door")) and the way ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life")) into this kingdom. To "come unto me" as a child is to come in simple faith, acknowledging one's need and trusting entirely in Jesus' finished work on the cross for salvation and entry into God's reign ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). Thus, the childlike heart is one that receives Christ as Lord and Savior, for in Him, the kingdom of God has drawn near and is fully realized.

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 18:3

And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:4

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

1 Corinthians 14:20

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

1 Corinthians 7:14

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

Deuteronomy 31:12

Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that [is] within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:

1 Peter 2:2

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Acts 2:39

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.