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Matthew Henry

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 19:15

And he laid his hands on them ,.... "And blessed them", as Mark says; he put his hands upon them, according to the custom of the country, and wished all kind of prosperity to them: and departed thence , out of the house where he had been, and his disciples with him: the Ethiopic version renders it, "and they went from thence", from those parts, towards Jerusalem. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 19:15

He - departed thence - That is, from that part of Judea which was beyond Jordan, Matthew 19:1 ; and then went to Jericho. See Matthew 20:29 . 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 19:15

He laid his hands on them. He was not influenced by the captious objections of the disciples. St. Mark tells us that "he took them up in his arms, put his bands upon them, and blessed them." Thus far he complied with the wishes of the parents who brought the babes to him. But we do not read that he prayed, as they had asked. Doubtless there was meaning in this omission. In conferring blessing he was acting in his Divine nature, and had no need of prayer. Sometimes, indeed, he prayed for the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 19:15

He laid his hands on them - Mark says he blessed them. That is, he pronounced or sought a blessing on them. read more

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