Matthew 19:15

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he laid {G2007} his hands {G5495} on {G2007} them {G846}, and departed {G4198} thence {G1564}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then, after laying his hands on them, he went on his way.

Berean Standard Bible

And after He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 19:15 serves as a tender and pivotal conclusion to Jesus' interaction with children, where He personally affirmed and blessed them by laying His hands upon them, immediately after rebuking His disciples for attempting to hinder their access. This verse visually encapsulates Jesus' profound compassion, His revolutionary valuation of the humble, and His direct impartation of divine favor, before He continued His journey, leaving a powerful example of Kingdom priorities.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 19:15 directly follows Jesus' strong rebuke of His disciples in [Matthew 19:13-14](/matthew/19-13-14 "Matthew 19:13-14 - Jesus Welcomes Children") for preventing parents from bringing their children to Him. The disciples, perhaps viewing children as insignificant or a distraction from more "important" theological discussions, tried to turn them away. Jesus, however, explicitly stated, "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven" ([Matthew 19:14](/matthew/19-14 "Matthew 19:14 - Let the Little Children Come")). Verse 15 is the immediate, tangible action that demonstrates Jesus' teaching, showing that His words were not mere rhetoric but were followed by a personal, compassionate engagement. This episode is strategically placed within Matthew's narrative just before the encounter with the rich young ruler, highlighting a stark contrast between those who humbly receive the Kingdom and those who struggle with its demands.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient world, and particularly in Jewish society of the first century, children generally held a low social status. They were not considered significant members of the community until they reached maturity and could contribute economically or socially. Their opinions were not sought, and their presence was often overlooked or even dismissed. The act of "laying on of hands" was a well-established practice in Judaism, signifying blessing, commissioning, healing, or the imparting of authority or spirit. By personally laying His hands on these children, Jesus was performing a deeply significant cultural act that conveyed a profound blessing and acceptance, elevating their status and demonstrating their inherent value in the eyes of God, contrary to prevailing societal norms.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully reinforces several key themes prevalent in Matthew's Gospel and Jesus' ministry. Firstly, it underscores the **radical nature of the Kingdom of Heaven**, where traditional social hierarchies are inverted, and the humble, vulnerable, and dependent are valued and welcomed, as articulated in [Matthew 18:1-4](/matthew/18-1-4 "Matthew 18:1-4 - Who is Greatest in the Kingdom?"). Secondly, it highlights **Jesus' boundless compassion and accessibility**, demonstrating that He is approachable by all, especially those often marginalized or deemed unimportant by others. His willingness to personally engage with children showcases His inclusive love. Thirdly, the act of blessing emphasizes the theme of **divine impartation and favor**, as Jesus bestows spiritual grace and peace upon the children, serving as a model for how His followers should approach and nurture the young.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **laid (Greek, _epitíthēmi'_):** From G2007, meaning "to impose (in a friendly or hostile sense)." Here, it is clearly in a friendly sense, signifying a deliberate, physical act of placing hands upon someone. This action was commonly associated with blessing, healing, or the impartation of spiritual authority in biblical contexts, conveying a direct and personal connection.
* **hands (Greek, _cheír'_):** From G5495, referring to "the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or instrument)." The use of "hands" here emphasizes the physicality and directness of Jesus' action, serving as the instrument through which His blessing and divine favor were conveyed. It represents His personal power and authority being extended to the children.
* **departed (Greek, _poreúomai'_):** From G4198, meaning "to traverse, i.e. travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)." This word indicates Jesus' continuation of His journey, signifying the ongoing nature of His ministry and His purposeful movement towards His ultimate destiny in Jerusalem. It marks the conclusion of this specific, tender interaction before moving to the next phase of His mission.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he laid his hands on them":** This clause describes Jesus' direct, physical action of blessing the children. The laying on of hands was a recognized gesture of imparting blessing, healing, or spiritual favor in ancient Jewish culture. Here, it signifies Jesus' personal affirmation, acceptance, and bestowing of divine grace upon the children, demonstrating their profound value in His eyes and in the Kingdom of God. It is a tangible expression of His earlier teaching that the Kingdom belongs to such as these.
* **"and departed thence":** This concluding clause indicates Jesus' movement away from that specific location and interaction. It marks the completion of this particular ministry moment, as Jesus continues His journey and mission. While seemingly a simple statement of movement, it underscores the purposeful and itinerant nature of Jesus' earthly ministry, always moving towards His ultimate redemptive goal.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 19:15, though brief, is rich in literary significance. The primary device employed is **Action as Teaching**, where Jesus' physical act of laying hands on the children serves as a powerful, non-verbal affirmation of His preceding verbal instruction in [Matthew 19:14](/matthew/19-14 "Matthew 19:14 - Let the Little Children Come"). This immediate follow-through reinforces the authenticity and depth of His message about the value of children and the nature of the Kingdom. Furthermore, there is profound **Symbolism** in the "laying on of hands," which represents divine blessing, acceptance, and the impartation of grace, transforming a common cultural gesture into a profound spiritual act. The verse also functions as a **Culmination**, bringing the preceding narrative of the disciples' rebuke and Jesus' correction to a tender, compassionate close before the narrative shifts to the encounter with the rich young ruler, providing a **Contrast** between those who humbly receive the Kingdom and those who struggle with its demands.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 19:15 profoundly illustrates the nature of God's Kingdom and the character of its King. Jesus' deliberate act of blessing the children, despite His disciples' attempts to dismiss them, reveals a divine economy where humility, dependence, and simple faith are paramount, rather than status or worldly accomplishments. This act underscores God's deep care for the vulnerable and marginalized, challenging human tendencies to overlook those deemed insignificant. It teaches that access to God's presence and blessing is not earned through merit or sophistication, but is freely offered to those who approach with childlike trust and openness. This encounter serves as a timeless reminder that the Kingdom of Heaven is profoundly inclusive, welcoming all who come to Jesus in simple faith.

* [Mark 10:16](/mark/10-16 "Mark 10:16 - Jesus Blesses the Children")
* [Luke 18:16](/luke/18-16 "Luke 18:16 - Jesus Calls the Children to Him")
* [Matthew 18:3](/matthew/18-3 "Matthew 18:3 - Becoming Like Children")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 19:15 offers a timeless blueprint for how believers should embody the heart of Christ in their interactions and priorities. It calls us to cultivate a radical inclusivity, challenging us to actively seek out and welcome those who might be overlooked or marginalized in our communities, just as Jesus welcomed the children. This includes fostering environments where children are not merely tolerated but are celebrated as integral members of the faith community, their spiritual development nurtured with intentionality and love. Furthermore, the passage invites us to examine our own hearts, asking whether we approach God with the humble, dependent, and trusting faith of a child, recognizing our profound need for His grace rather than relying on our own perceived strengths or accomplishments. Jesus' personal touch reminds us that genuine ministry is often characterized by compassionate, personal engagement, prioritizing connection over efficiency or external status.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I, like the disciples, sometimes hinder others from coming to Jesus, perhaps through my attitudes or assumptions?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a more childlike faith, characterized by humility, dependence, and trust in God?**
* **How can my church or community better value and intentionally nurture the faith of children and other vulnerable populations?**
* **What does Jesus' personal act of laying hands on the children teach me about the nature of compassionate, personal ministry?**

### FAQ
**Why was it significant that Jesus laid His hands on the children?**

Answer: The act of "laying on of hands" was a well-established practice in ancient Jewish culture with various meanings, including blessing, healing, and commissioning. In this context, Jesus' action was a profound gesture of personal blessing, acceptance, and the impartation of divine favor. It visually confirmed His earlier teaching that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those with childlike faith ([Matthew 19:14](/matthew/19-14 "Matthew 19:14 - Let the Little Children Come")) and demonstrated His deep compassion and personal engagement with the vulnerable, elevating their status contrary to societal norms. It was a tangible expression of His love and power.

**What does "departed thence" signify in this verse?**

Answer: "Departed thence" simply means Jesus left that specific location. While seemingly a mundane detail, it serves several purposes. It marks the conclusion of this particular, tender interaction and signifies the continuous, purposeful nature of Jesus' itinerant ministry. He was always on the move, teaching, healing, and drawing closer to His ultimate destiny in Jerusalem. It transitions the narrative to the next significant encounter, which is with the rich young ruler, highlighting the ongoing flow of Jesus' earthly mission.

**What is the broader theological message about children in this passage?**

Answer: This passage fundamentally redefines the spiritual significance of children. Far from being insignificant, Jesus declares that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to "such as these" ([Matthew 19:14](/matthew/19-14 "Matthew 19:14 - Let the Little Children Come")). This teaches that the qualities inherent in children—humility, dependence, trust, and lack of pretense—are precisely the qualities required to enter and inherit God's Kingdom. It challenges adults to shed their self-sufficiency and worldly wisdom, embracing a childlike faith to truly experience God's grace. It also underscores God's deep love and welcome for all, especially the vulnerable.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 19:15, with Jesus' tender act of laying hands on the children before departing, beautifully foreshadows and embodies His overarching mission as the Christ. His welcoming of the children, whom society often overlooked, reveals the very heart of the Gospel: that salvation and access to God's Kingdom are not for the privileged or powerful, but for all who come in humble, childlike faith. This act of blessing is a microcosm of His entire redemptive work, where He, the Son of God, condescended to bless humanity, taking on flesh to impart grace and life. Just as He personally touched these children, Jesus, the [Good Shepherd](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd"), continually extends His hand to gather and bless His flock, particularly those who are weak, lost, or marginalized. His departure "thence" signifies His purposeful journey towards the cross and resurrection, the ultimate act of blessing where He secured eternal life for all who would come to Him with simple trust, fulfilling His promise to [welcome all who are weary and burdened](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary"). This verse reminds us that Christ's compassion is not just a historical anecdote but an enduring reality, as He, our [sympathetic High Priest](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our Sympathetic High Priest"), continues to intercede for and bless His people.

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

2 Timothy 3:15

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Mark 10:16

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

Isaiah 40:11

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry [them] in his bosom, [and] shall gently lead those that are with young.

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.