Matthew 19:14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 19:13-15

We have here the welcome which Christ gave to some little children that were brought to him. Observe, I. The faith of those that brought them. How many they were, that were brought, we are not told; but they were so little as to be taken up in arms, a year old, it may be, or two at most. The account here given of it, is, that there were brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray, Matt. 19:13. Probably they were their parents, guardians, or nurses, that... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 19:13-15

19:13-15 Children were brought to him, that he might lay his hands on them, and pray for them. The disciples spoke sternly to them. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as they are." And after he had laid his hands on them, he went away from there. It may well be said that here we have the loveliest incident in the gospel story. The characters all stand out clear and plain, although it only takes two verses to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 19:14

But Jesus said, suffer little children .... This he said to show his humility, that he was not above taking notice of any; and to teach his disciples to regard the weakest believers, and such as were but children in knowledge; and to inform them what all ought to be, who expect the kingdom of heaven; for it follows; and forbid them not to come unto me , now, or at any other time; for of such is the kingdom of heaven ; that is, as the Syriac renders it, "who are as these" or as the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:14

Of such is the kingdom of heaven - Or, the kingdom of heaven is composed of such. This appears to be the best sense of the passage, and utterly ruins the whole inhuman diabolic system of what is called non-elect infants' damnation; a doctrine which must have sprung from Moloch, and can only be defended by a heart in which he dwells. A great part of God's kingdom is composed of such literally; and those only who resemble little children shall be received into it: see on Matthew 18:3 ;... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:14

Verse 14 14.Suffer children. He declares that he wishes to receive children; and at length, taking them in his arms, he not only embraces, but blesses them by the laying on of hand; from which we infer that his grace is extended even to those who are of that age. And no wonder; for since the whole race of Adam is shut up under the sentence of death, all from the least even to the greatest must perish, except those who are rescued by the only Redeemer. To exclude from the grace of redemption... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 19:13-15

Benediction of little children . ( Mark 10:13-16 ; Luke 18:15-17 .) read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 19:13-15

The little children. I. THEY WERE BROUGHT TO CHRIST . 1 . The reason . It seems to have been customary to bring young children into the synagogues to be blessed by the elders. The Lord was regarded with reverence as a great Rabbi now in Peraea, as he once bad been in Galilee. Wives and mothers were naturally drawn to him by the high view of marriage which he taught. The frequency of divorce destroyed the sanctity of the marriage bond, degraded woman, interfered grievously... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 19:13-15

Christ blessing little children. This incident, familiar to us from our childhood, not only throws light on the character of our Lord and his interest in child life. It reveals something in all who took part in it. I. THE MOTHERS . The word "then," with which the paragraph opens, is deeply significant, because it closely connects this paragraph with that which precedes. Jesus had been vindicating the sanctity of marriage. The degenerate Jews bad come to regard the subject too much,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 19:13-15

The children, of the kingdom. Here we have the kingdom of heaven, its children, and its King. I. THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN . 1 . This is a name for the invisible Church of God . 2 . This is also a name for the collective Christian Church . II. THE CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM . 1 . These are the disciples who are childlike . 2 . These are also little children proper . III. THE KING OF SAINTS . 1 . Jesus is present to welcome the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 19:14

Suffer [ the ] little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me . He speaks as though the infants were ready and eager to come to him, if they were not prevented. He thus intimates the truth that, though incompetent to undo, stand God's blessing, children were not incompetent to receive it. There was no natural impediment to bar the way. Unconscious intents, under the Mosaic dispensation, were admitted to the privileges of the Jewish Church by the rite of circumcision; in Christ's... read more

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