Luke 18:15

Jesus Blesses the Children

15 Now people were even bringing their babies to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them. And when the disciples saw this, they rebuked those who brought them. ¹

Luke 18:15 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 18:15

And they brought unto him also infants
As well as grown persons, that were sick, to be healed by him:

that he would touch them;
in order, as some learned men think, to cure them of diseases that attended them; for one of the ways by which Christ healed persons, was by touching them; nor do we read of his touching in common for any other purpose, or of persons desiring him to touch them, or theirs, but for this end; in ( Matthew 19:13 ) it is read, "that he should put his hands on them"; and so the Arabic and Persic versions here read, in order to pray over them, and bless them: but neither in one place, nor the other, is any mention of their baptism, or of their being brought for such a purpose; nor can it be concluded from hence;

but when [his] disciples saw [it], they rebuked them;
the persons that brought the infants; (See Gill on Matthew 19:13).

Luke 18:15 In-Context

13 But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’

14 I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

15 Now people were even bringing their babies to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them. And when the disciples saw this, they rebuked those who brought them.

16 But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

17 Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Cross References

• 1. (Matthew 19:13–15; Mark 10:13–16)