Matthew 19:13-15 Then were there brought to him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.… I. WHO WERE NOW BROUGHT TO CHRIST? Probably infants. None of them were arrived at the full exercise of reason; and some of them might be carried in the arms of their friends. II. FOR WHAT END WERE THEY BROUGHT TO CHRIST? Probably not to be healed of sickness or weakness. It was, that He might lay His hands upon them and bless them. They had a high opinion of the piety of Jesus, and of His interest in the Divine favour. III. THE RECEPTION JESUS GAVE THE CHILDREN. Kind and gracious. IV. THE DECLARATION HE MADE CONCERNING THEM. "Of such is the kingdom of heaven." Christ commends in children three or four things, wherein they who are adult ought to resemble them. 1. Freedom from prejudice or openness to conviction; freedom from pride, or humility; freedom from worldly affections, or indifference to earthly things: and finally, freedom from custom of sinning, or innocence. (Nath. Lardner.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. |
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