Mark 10:16

16 Then Jesus took the children in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them.

Mark 10:16 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 10:16

And he took them up in his arms
"Upon his arms", the Syriac version says; "he put them into his bosom", according to the Ethiopic; and the Persic renders it, "he took them into his bosom": all which expresses great tenderness towards them, and affection for them:

put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
The Ethiopic version transposes these clauses, and puts blessing first, contrary to the natural order of the words, and things; for he first put his hands on the children, according to the custom of the Jews, and then prayed over them, and wished all happiness and prosperity to them; (See Gill on Matthew 19:15).

Mark 10:16 In-Context

14 When Jesus saw this, he was upset and said to them, "Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these children.

15 I tell you the truth, you must accept the kingdom of God as if you were a little child, or you will never enter it."

16 Then Jesus took the children in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them.

17 As Jesus started to leave, a man ran to him and fell on his knees before Jesus. The man asked, "Good teacher, what must I do to have life forever?"

18 Jesus answered, "Why do you call me good? Only God is good.