Luke 18:15
And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
Luke 18:15 (KJV)
Context
In the preceding verses, Jesus had been teaching about the kingdom of God, emphasizing the need for humility, faith, and childlike trust in order to enter it. He also told the parable of the persistent widow, highlighting the importance of persistent prayer. Now, people brought infants to Jesus, likely seeking His blessing or touch. The Greek text indicates a continuous action: they were bringing the babies, and the purpose was that Jesus would touch them—a gesture associated with blessing and, in some contexts, healing. The people recognized Jesus’ authority and power and desired His blessing upon their children.
When the disciples saw this, they rebuked those who brought the infants. The disciples may have thought the infants were too young to benefit from Jesus’ touch, or that Jesus’ time was better spent on more important matters. Their response reflected a lack of understanding and perhaps a limited perspective on the value and significance of children in the kingdom of God. This attitude may also have stemmed from a cultural view that children were unimportant, or from a desire to protect Jesus from interruption. Yet Jesus’ response reveals that such attitudes are contrary to the kingdom’s values.
Meaning
Luke 18:16 (KJV) records Jesus’ response: “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.” Jesus called the disciples to Him and corrected their rebuke. He highlighted the importance of allowing the little children to come to Him and declared that the kingdom of God belongs to those who are childlike in their faith. The parallel accounts in Matthew 19:13-15 and Mark 10:13-16 confirm the historicity and significance of this event. In Matthew, the children are described as “little children” and the purpose includes prayer; in Mark, Jesus takes the children in His arms and blesses them.
This passage teaches that the kingdom of God is not reserved for the powerful, influential, or intellectually astute. It is open to all who come to Jesus with childlike faith and receive His grace. Jesus affirmed the value and significance of children, demonstrating that they are not to be overlooked or excluded from the kingdom. Their childlike faith and trust are qualities that adults should emulate. The people’s act of bringing infants also demonstrates their recognition of Jesus’ authority and their desire for His blessing upon their children.
Biblical connections
The context of Luke 18 includes Jesus’ teaching on humility and childlike faith, particularly the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14), which emphasizes that entrance into the kingdom requires humility. This passage also parallels Matthew 19:13-15 and Mark 10:13-16, where the same event is recorded with slight variations. These parallel accounts confirm the historicity and significance of the event, and they reinforce the lesson that human barriers, even well-intentioned ones, must not hinder access to Christ.
Application
Embrace Childlike Faith: Let us cultivate a humble and trusting spirit like that of a child. Recognize our need for God’s grace and approach Him with childlike faith, surrendering ourselves to His will.
Value Children: Children are important in God’s kingdom. Let us love, nurture, and guide them in their faith journey, teaching them about Jesus’ love and the significance of their relationship with Him.
Inclusivity: Let us be inclusive, welcoming people of all ages into the family of God, recognizing that the kingdom of God is open to everyone.
Reflection
Remember to study the Bible in its entirety and consult trusted biblical resources and teachers to gain a deeper understanding of God’s Word.
