Luke 18:16

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.

Luke 18:16 (KJV)

Context

In Luke 18, Jesus has just told the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8) and the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14). Then, in verse 15, people bring infants to Jesus so He can touch them, but the disciples rebuke them. Jesus calls the children to Him and speaks the words of Luke 18:16.

Meaning

The Greek text shows that Jesus “called them” (προσεκαλέσατο αὐτὰ), referring to the children themselves, not the disciples or the parents. This indicates the children were old enough to respond to His call and come to Him. Jesus then commands, “Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not,” using an imperative that stresses allowing and not hindering. The reason is “for of such is the kingdom of God” (τῶν γὰρ τοιούτων ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ). The phrase “of such” (τοιούτων) points to the children’s characteristics—humility, dependence, and receptivity—as the pattern for entering God’s kingdom. The parallel in Luke 18:17 reinforces this: whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will not enter it at all. The accounts in Mark 10:13-16 and Matthew 19:13-15 record the same event, with Mark noting Jesus was “much displeased” at the disciples and that He took the children in His arms and blessed them.

Biblical connections

Jesus’ welcoming of children demonstrates His accessibility and the inclusive nature of His kingdom, where the lowly and dependent are embraced. The disciples’ rebuke serves as a warning against treating any person as insignificant or as a hindrance to the work of God. The kingdom is not earned by status, age, or achievement but is received with childlike trust.

Application

Believers are called to actively welcome, not obstruct, those who come to Jesus, and to cultivate a childlike posture of faith. Children possess qualities such as trust, humility, innocence, and dependence that serve as positive examples for adults. We should examine our own attitudes toward children and our approach to God, striving to cultivate these qualities in our relationship with Him. Furthermore, we should value and care for children, considering them important members of our faith community and demonstrating Christ’s love to them.