But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.Of such is the kingdom of heaven — Little children, either in a natural or spiritual sense, have a right to enter into my kingdom. Matthew 18:3. read more
13. Were there brought unto him little children They were so young, not only as to be brought, but to be taken by the Saviour in his arms. The disciples rebuked them The children were doubtless brought by the affection of the parents, who thus showed their faith in him, not only for themselves but for their offspring. So the faith of the Syrophenician woman brought a miracle of mercy upon her daughter. read more
§ 104. CHILDREN BLESSED BY CHRIST, Matthew 19:13-15 . It is with great propriety that immediately after our Saviour has settled the law of marriage under the Christian dispensation, he should also assign the place of children in the Christian Church. This passage surely is not given for the purpose of showing that Christ was personally fond of children, but of showing that the child is no more to be excluded from the Church of the New Testament than from that of the Old. read more
14. Suffer little children Our Lord does not merely say, suffer these children, but suffer all little children to come unto me. Of such Of children and of childlike souls. For the adult man must become childlike to be fit for the kingdom of heaven. Our Lord did not here baptize these children; for Christian baptism was not freely used until after his resurrection. But he does declare why they are proper subjects of baptism, namely, because they are subjects of the kingdom of heaven.... read more
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes - Matthew 19:13
Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.That he should lay his hands on them — This was a rite which was very early used, in praying for a blessing on young persons. See Genesis 48:14,20.The disciples rebuked them — That is, them that brought them: probably thinking such an employ beneath the dignity of their Master. Mark 10:13; Luke 18:15. read more