Luke 18:16

“But Jesus called them unto him, etc.] Not the disciples, as the Ethiopic version reads, nor the persons that brought the children, but the children themselves; for the antecedent to the relative auta, “them”, can be no other; which shows, that these infants were not new born babes, or children at the breast, but such as were more grown up, since they were capable of being called to, and of coming to Christ: and said; that is, to the disciples; so the Persic version expresses it: suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; (see Gill on “<401914>Matthew 19:14”) for of such is the kingdom of God; or “of heaven”, as the Syriac version reads, and as in (<401914>Matthew 19:14)…”

“But Jesus--"much displeased," says Mark (Mar 10:14); and invaluable addition. said--"SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN TO COME UNTO ME"--"AND FORBID THEM NOT," is the important addition of Matthew (Mat 19:14) and Mark (Mar 10:14). What words are these from the lips of Christ! The price of them is above rubies. But the reason assigned, "FOR OF SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD," or "of heaven," as in Mat 19:14, completes the previous information here conveyed; especially as interpreted by what immediately follows: "AND HE TOOK THEM UP IN HIS ARMS, PUT HIS HANDS UPON THEM, AND BLESSED THEM" (Mar 10:16). It is surely not to be conceived that all our Lord meant was to inform us, that seeing grown people must…”

“See the notes at Matthew 19:13-30. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Calling them - Those that brought the children: of such is the kingdom of God - Such are subjects of the Messiah's kingdom. And such as these it properly belongs to. Luke 18:18”

“Suffer: Gen 47:10-14, Gen 21:4; Deu 29:11, Deu 31:12; Ch2 20:13; Jer 32:39; Act 2:39; Co1 7:14 for: Mat 18:3, Mat 18:4; Co1 14:20; Pe1 2:2 Luke 18:17”