TRV
“Let the Little Children Come”· Matthew 19:13–15
Translation
King James Version
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Complete Jewish Bible
However, Yeshua said, "Let the children come to me, don't stop them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these."
Berean Standard Bible
But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
American Standard Version
But Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven.
World English Bible Messianic
But Yeshua said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
But Iesus sayd, Suffer the litle children, and forbid them not to come to me: for of such is the kingdome of heauen.
Young's Literal Translation
But Jesus said, `Suffer the children, and forbid them not, to come unto me, for of such is the reign of the heavens;'
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Historical interpretation
Eleven Centuries of Reception
12 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
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For why is it necessary-if (baptism itself) is not so necessary -that the sponsors likewise should be thrust into danger? Who both themselves, by reason of mortality, may fail to fulfil their promises, and may be disappointed by the development of an evil disposition, in those for whom they stood? The Lord does indeed say, "Forbid them not to come unto me." Let them "come," then, while they are growing up; let them "come" while they are learning, while they are learning whither to come; let them become Christians when they have become able to know Christ.
Mystically; We call them children who are yet carnal in Christ, having need of milk. They who bring the babes to the Saviour, are they who profess to have knowledge of the word, but are still simple, and have for their food children's lessons, being yet novices. They who seem more perfect, and are therefore the disciples of Jesus, before they have learnt the way of righteousness which is for children, rebuke those who by simple doctrine bring to Christ children and babes, that is, such as are less learned. But the Lord exhorting His disciples now become men to condescend to the needs of babes, to be babes to babes, that they may gain babes, says, For of such is the kingdom of heaven. For He Himself also, when He was in the form of God, was made a babe. These things we should attend to, lest in esteeming that more excellent wisdom, and spiritual advancement, as though we were become great we should despise the little ones of the Church, forbidding children to be brought to Jesus. But since children cannot follow all things that are commanded them, Jesus laid His hands upon them, and leaving virtue in them by His touch, went away from them, seeing they were not able to follow Him, like the other more perfect disciples.
The infants are a type of the Gentiles, to whom salvation is rendered by faith and hearing. But the disciples, in their first zeal for the salvation of Israel, forbid them to approach, but the Lord declares that they are not to be forbidden. For the gift of the Holy Ghost was to be conferred upon the Gentiles by laying on of hands, as soon as the Law had ceased.
But mark thou, I pray, how from some men's wicked doings, other men gain. I mean, that the Jews went away having learnt nothing, for neither did they ask with the intent of learning, but the disciples gained even from hence.
"Then were there brought unto Him little children, that He should put His hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But He said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of Heaven. And He laid His hands on them, and departed thence."
And wherefore did the disciples repel the little children? For dignity. What then doth He? Teaching them to be lowly, and to trample under foot worldly pride, He doth receive them, and takes them in His arms, and to such as them promises the kingdom; which kind of thing He said before also.
Let us also then, if we would be inheritors of the Heavens, possess ourselves of this virtue with much diligence. For this is the limit of true wisdom; to be simple with understanding; this is angelic life; yes, for the soul of a little child is pure from all the passions. Towards them who have vexed him he bears no resentment, but goes to them as to friends, as if nothing had been done; and how much soever he be beaten by his mother, after her he seeks, and her doth he prefer to all. Though thou show him the queen with a diadem, he prefers her not to his mother clad in rags, but would choose rather to see her in these, than the queen in splendor. For he useth to distinguish what pertains to him and what is strange to him, not by its poverty and wealth, but by friendship. And nothing more than necessary things doth he seek, but just to be satisfied from the breast, and then he leaves sucking. The young child is not grieved at what we are grieved, as at loss of money and such things as that, and he doth not rejoice again at what we rejoice, namely, at these temporal things, he is not eager about the beauty of persons.
Therefore He said, "of such is the kingdom of Heaven," that by choice we should practise these things, which young children have by nature. For since the Pharisees from nothing rise so much as out of craft and pride did what they did, therefore on every hand He charges the disciples to be single hearted, both darkly hinting at those men, and instructing these. For nothing so much lifts up unto haughtiness, as power and precedence. Forasmuch then as the disciples were to enjoy great honors throughout the whole world, He preoccupies their mind, not suffering them to feel anything after the manner of men, neither to demand honors from the multitude, nor to have men clear the way before them.
For though these seem to be little things, yet are they a cause of great evils. The Pharisees at least being thus trained were carried on into the very summit of evil, seeking after the salutations, the first seats, the middle places, for from these they were cast upon the shoal of their mad desire of glory, then from thence upon impiety. So therefore those men went away having drawn upon themselves a curse by their tempting, but the little children a blessing, as being freed from all these.
Let us then also be like the little children, and "in malice be we babes." For it cannot be, it cannot be for one otherwise to see Heaven, but the crafty and wicked must needs surely be cast into hell.
When he says, Who have made themselves eunuchs, He does not mean cutting off of members, but a putting away of evil thoughts. For he that cuts off a limb is under a curse, for such an one undertakes the deeds of murderers, and opens a door to Manicheans who depreciate the creature, and cut off the same members as do the Gentiles. For to cut off members is of the temptation of dæmons. But by the means of which we have spoken desire is not diminished but made more urgent; for it has its source elsewhere, and chiefly in a weak purpose and an unguarded heart, For if the heart be well governed, there is no danger from the natural motions; nor does the amputation of a member bring such peacefulness and immunity from temptation as does a bridle upon the thoughts.
Or the disciples would have thrust them away, from respect to Christ's dignity1. But the Lord teaching them holy thoughts, and to subdue the pride of this world, took the children into His arms, and promised to such the kingdom of heaven; But Jesus saith unto them, Suffer little children and forbid them not to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
(Verses 13, 14.) Then little children were brought to him, so that he could lay his hands on them and pray. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'
Not because they liked not that they should have benediction of the Saviour's hand and mouth; but forasmuch as their faith was not yet perfect, they thought that He like other men would be wearied by the applications of those that brought them.
And He said distinctly, Of such is the kingdom of heaven, not Of these, to show that it was not years, but disposition that determined His judgment, and that the reward was promised to such as had like innocence and simplicity.
The Lord had been holding discourse of chastity; and some of His hearers now brought unto Him infants, who in respect of chastity are the purest; for they supposed that it was the pure in body only whom He had approved; and this is that which is said, Then were brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray.
The flesh as it delights not in good, if it hear any good readily forgets it; but the evil that it has it retains ever. But a little while before Christ took a little child and said, Except ye become as this child, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven, (Matt. 18:3.) yet His disciples, presently forgetting this innocence of children, now forbid children, as unworthy to come to Christ.
For who were worthy to come to Christ, if simple infancy were thrust away? Therefore he said, Forbid them not. For if they shall turn out saints, why hinder ye the sons from coming to their Father? And if sinners, why do ye pronounce a sentence of condemnation, before you see any fault in them?
The present passage instructs all parents to bring their children to the priests, for it is not the priest who lays his hands on them, but Christ, in whose name hands are laid. For if he that offers his food in prayer to God eats it sanctified, for it is sanctified by the word of God, and by prayer, as the Apostle speaks, how much rather ought children to be offered to God, and sanctified? (1 Tim. 4:5.) And this is the reason of blessing of food, Because the whole world lieth in wickedness; (1 John 5:19.) so that all things that have body, which are a great part of the world, lie in wickedness. Consequently infants when born, are as respects their flesh lying in wickedness.
Why did the disciples keep the children back? Not because of the children’s wickedness but because it was not the right time. They did not want the Lord to be tired by the great crowd. To them he said, “Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” For children are ignorant of wickedness. They do not know how to return evil for evil or how to do someone an injury. They do not know how to be lustful or to fornicate or to rob. What they hear, they believe. They love their parents with complete affection. Therefore, beloved, the Lord instructs us that what they are by the gift of nature, we should become by the fear of God, a holy way of life and love of the heavenly kingdom; for unless we are alien to all sin just like children, we cannot come to the Savior.
For it was a custom among the ancients that little children should be brought to aged persons, to receive benediction by their hand or tongue, and according to this custom little children are now brought to the Lord.
Also laying His hands upon them, He blessed them, to signify that the lowly in spirit are worthy His grace and blessing.
. Mothers were bringing their children to be blessed by the touch of His hands. But they were crowding in towards Him in an unruly manner, which is why the disciples forbade them. The disciples also thought that bringing children to Him diminished His dignity as Teacher and Master. Christ therefore shows that He especially accepts the guilelessness of a little child, saying, "Let the little children come unto Me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." He does not say, "of these," but "of such," that is, the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who have simplicity, guilelessness and innocence. And if one is teaching and some draw near asking childish questions, let the teacher accept them and not forbid them.
(non occ.) He laid His hands upon them while men held them, to signify that the grace of His aid was necessary.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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Summary
In Matthew 19:14, Jesus issues a profound directive to His disciples, commanding them to allow children to approach Him without hindrance, declaring that the "kingdom of heaven" belongs to those who possess childlike qualities. This pivotal statement challenges conventional societal norms, which often marginalized children, and redefines the nature of spiritual entry into God's reign, emphasizing humility, trust, and simple dependence over status or worldly wisdom.
Context
Literary Context
This declaration by Jesus is situated within a broader narrative in Matthew's Gospel concerning the nature of discipleship and the kingdom. Immediately preceding this passage (Matthew 19:1-12), Jesus engages in a discussion about divorce and remarriage, emphasizing the sanctity of marriage and the difficulty of adhering to God's ideal. Following the interaction with the children, Jesus encounters a rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-22), who struggles to part with his possessions to follow Christ, highlighting the stark contrast between the simple, unburdened faith of children and the complex attachments of adults. The disciples' attempt to prevent the children from coming to Jesus reveals their misunderstanding of His mission and the inclusive nature of His kingdom, a misunderstanding Jesus consistently corrects throughout His ministry, as seen in His teaching on humility in Matthew 18:1-4. The parallel accounts in Mark 10:13-16 and Luke 18:15-17 underscore the widespread importance of this event in the early Christian tradition.
Historical & Cultural Context
In the ancient world, particularly in Jewish society of the first century, children generally held a low social status. They were not considered full members of society until they reached adulthood and were largely seen as property or future contributors rather than individuals with inherent spiritual value. Their presence was often overlooked or deemed insignificant in serious adult matters. It was common for religious teachers to be approached by adults seeking instruction or healing, but not typically by parents bringing young children for a blessing. The disciples' reaction—rebuking the parents—was likely a reflection of this cultural norm, as they sought to protect Jesus from what they perceived as a trivial distraction. Jesus' response, however, was revolutionary, subverting these cultural expectations and elevating the status of children to that of spiritual exemplars, challenging the prevailing hierarchical structures of the time.
Key Themes
Matthew 19:14 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Gospel of Matthew. One prominent theme is the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven (or Kingdom of God). Jesus consistently teaches that entry into this kingdom is not based on worldly power, wealth, or social status, but on a radical reorientation of values, often characterized by humility and dependence. This verse explicitly links the kingdom to childlike qualities, reinforcing the idea that spiritual receptivity is paramount. Another key theme is the value of the vulnerable and marginalized. Throughout Matthew, Jesus demonstrates a profound concern for those overlooked by society—the poor, the sick, the outcast, and in this instance, children. His embrace of children highlights God's special regard for the seemingly insignificant. Finally, the passage speaks to the theme of true discipleship, correcting the disciples' misguided understanding of who is worthy of Jesus' time and attention, teaching them that true greatness in the kingdom is found in humble service and an open heart, as opposed to a desire for prestige or control, a lesson also conveyed in Matthew 20:25-28.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb, often translated as "allow" or "permit," carries the core meaning of letting go, sending away, or allowing something to happen without hindrance. In this imperative command, Jesus is directly countermanding the disciples' actions, instructing them to release any barriers or prohibitions they have erected, thereby granting free and unhindered access to the children. It implies a deliberate act of permission and removal of obstacles.
This neuter diminutive noun refers to a young child, an infant, or even a half-grown boy or girl. The diminutive form emphasizes their smallness, vulnerability, and dependence. Figuratively, it can also refer to an immature Christian. In this context, it highlights the literal age of those being brought to Jesus, but also implicitly points to the qualities associated with this age group, such as innocence, trust, and lack of pretense, which Jesus then elevates as spiritual ideals.
This demonstrative pronoun means "of this sort" or "of this kind," used to denote character or individuality. When Jesus says "for of such is the kingdom of heaven," he is not limiting kingdom entry only to literal children. Instead, he is indicating that the kingdom belongs to those who embody the qualities or characteristics exemplified by these children—their humility, their simple trust, their dependence, and their lack of self-sufficiency or pride.
Verse Breakdown
"But Jesus said,"
This opening clause indicates a direct response and correction from Jesus, contrasting His perspective with that of His disciples. The conjunction "But" (G1161, dé) signals a shift or opposition to the preceding action (the disciples rebuking the children). Jesus' authoritative voice immediately reorients the situation.
"Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me:"
This is Jesus' explicit command. "Suffer" (G863, aphíēmi) means "allow" or "permit," directly countering the disciples' "forbid" (G2967, kōlýō). The double negative ("forbid them not") serves as a strong affirmative, emphasizing the absolute necessity of allowing the children to approach Him. The phrase "to come unto me" highlights that Jesus Himself is the ultimate destination and source of blessing, and access to Him should be open to all, especially the vulnerable.
"for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
This clause provides the foundational reason for Jesus' command. The particle "for" (G1063, gár) introduces the explanation. "Of such" (G5108, toioûtos) refers not merely to children by age, but to those who possess the characteristics of children: humility, trust, dependence, and lack of self-righteousness or pretense. Jesus declares that these are the very qualities that define citizenship in the "kingdom of heaven" (G932, basileía G3772, ouranós), a term Matthew frequently uses to refer to God's sovereign rule and spiritual realm.
Literary Devices
Matthew 19:14 employs several powerful literary devices. Irony is evident in the disciples' actions; intending to protect Jesus' time and dignity, they inadvertently create a barrier to the very people Jesus desires to welcome, exposing their own spiritual immaturity. Jesus' response then presents a profound Paradox: the way to enter the most exalted realm (the kingdom of heaven) is through the qualities of the least esteemed in society (children). The phrase "of such is the kingdom of heaven" functions as a Metaphor or Simile, where children are not merely recipients of the kingdom but embody the very essence of its citizenship. Their inherent qualities—innocence, dependence, and simple trust—become the benchmark for adult faith. This also serves as a form of Didacticism, where Jesus uses a concrete, everyday interaction to convey a deep theological truth about the nature of God's kingdom and the path to salvation.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Matthew 19:14 is a cornerstone text for understanding the radical nature of God's kingdom and the counter-cultural values it promotes. It challenges human-centric notions of worthiness, power, and status, asserting that the divine economy operates on principles of humility, dependence, and simple faith. The theological implication is that entry into God's reign is not earned through intellectual prowess, social standing, or religious accomplishments, but through a posture of receptive trust, much like a child's unreserved reliance on a parent. This verse underscores God's profound love and accessibility to all, particularly those who are often overlooked or deemed insignificant by the world. It also serves as a perpetual reminder that the church, as an earthly manifestation of the kingdom, must always prioritize welcome, inclusivity, and the nurturing of genuine, unadulterated faith.
Reflection and Application
Matthew 19:14 calls believers to a profound introspection regarding their own approach to God and to others. In a world that often values independence, self-sufficiency, and achievement, Jesus' words invite us to embrace a childlike posture of humility and dependence. This means shedding the pride, cynicism, and self-reliance that can hinder our relationship with God, and instead cultivating a simple, trusting faith that is eager to receive from Him. Practically, this verse compels us to examine our own attitudes towards those who may seem "small" or "insignificant" in our communities or churches. Are we, like the disciples, inadvertently creating barriers for others to come to Jesus? Are our churches truly welcoming spaces for all, regardless of age, background, or social standing? Furthermore, it places a high value on children themselves, reminding us of our responsibility to nurture their faith, protect their innocence, and recognize them as full, vital members of the body of Christ, not just future constituents.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does this verse mean that only literal children go to heaven?
No, the verse does not mean that only literal children inherit the kingdom of heaven. When Jesus says "for of such is the kingdom of heaven," the phrase "of such" (Greek, toioûtos) refers to the qualities or characteristics exemplified by children, rather than their literal age. These qualities include humility, simple trust, dependence, lack of pretense, and an open, receptive heart. Jesus is teaching that anyone, regardless of age, who approaches God with these childlike attributes is a candidate for the kingdom. This teaching is consistent with Matthew 18:3, where Jesus states, "Unless you turn and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
What does "Suffer little children" mean in this context?
The King James Version's use of "suffer" here is an archaic English term meaning "allow" or "permit." It does not mean to cause pain or hardship. In the original Greek, the word is aphíēmi (G863), which means "to let go," "to allow," or "to permit." Jesus is directly commanding His disciples to stop hindering the children and instead to allow them to come to Him freely and without obstruction.
How does this verse relate to infant baptism or dedication?
While Matthew 19:14 is often cited in discussions about the inclusion of children in the church, it does not directly command or prohibit infant baptism or dedication. The verse primarily emphasizes Jesus' welcoming posture towards children and the spiritual qualities they embody as a model for all believers. It highlights the value Jesus places on children and their inherent capacity for simple faith. Different Christian traditions interpret this passage in various ways regarding the practice of infant baptism or dedication, seeing it as either a foundational principle for including children in the covenant community or as a general statement about their spiritual significance. Regardless of specific practices, the verse underscores the church's responsibility to welcome and nurture children in faith.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Matthew 19:14 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself, who embodies the very qualities He commends in children and serves as the ultimate gateway to the kingdom. Jesus, though fully God, emptied Himself and took on the form of a servant, demonstrating ultimate humility (as described in Philippians 2:5-8). He did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many (as highlighted in Mark 10:45). His life perfectly exemplified the dependence on the Father that He calls His followers to embrace, consistently seeking the Father's will and power. The kingdom of heaven, which Jesus declares belongs to "such" as children, is precisely the kingdom that He inaugurated through His life, death, and resurrection. He is the "door" through whom all must enter (as stated in John 10:9), and He welcomes all who come to Him with humble, trusting faith, regardless of their worldly status. Thus, the childlike qualities are not merely abstract virtues but reflections of the very character of Christ, who makes entry into God's reign possible for all who believe in Him.