Mark 10:16

16 And having taken them in his arms, having laid his hands on them, he 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 But Jesus seeing [it], was indignant, and said to them, Suffer the little children to come to me; forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God.

15 Verily I say to you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall in no wise enter into it.

16 And having taken them in his arms, having laid his hands on them, he blessed them.

17 And as he went forth into the way, a person ran up to [him], and kneeling to him asked him, Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

18 But Jesus said to him, Why callest thou me good? no one is good but one, [that is] God.

Footnotes

• [a] Some read 'blesses,' perhaps rightly, but the word is a strong one: 'blesses them abundantly.'