MPV Commentary
Read the modernized Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary, aligned with each Bible book and chapter, in clear, updated English.
Currently viewing commentary for Luke 18
Read the modernized Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary, aligned with each Bible book and chapter, in clear, updated English.
Currently viewing commentary for Luke 18
15. The term "infants" here shows that some of those brought to Jesus in Matthew (Mt 19:13) and Mark (Mr 10:13) were literally young children.
He touched them - or, as more fully stated in Matthew (Mt 19:13), put His hands on them and prayed. This was a customary way of invoking a blessing (Ge 48:14, 15).
The disciples repeatedly intervened to prevent interruptions to their Master's work, but Jesus consistently disagreed with this approach (Mt 15:23; Lu 18:39-40). Here, it is clear from Jesus' response that the disciples thought bringing infants was unnecessary because they were not capable of receiving anything from Him. They believed His ministrations were intended for grown people.
16. But Jesus was much displeased with this attitude (Mr 10:14).
He said, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me" - and do not hinder them, as Matthew (Mt 19:14) and Mark (Mr 10:14) add. The value of these words from Christ's lips cannot be overstated.
The reason for this instruction is that "of such is the Kingdom of God." This statement completes the previous information, especially when considered in light of what follows: Jesus took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them (Mr 10:16).
It would be a misunderstanding to think that Jesus only meant to convey that grown people must become childlike in order to enter the Kingdom of God. Rather, He was correcting the disciples' mistaken assumption that infants should not be brought to Him because they were not capable of benefiting from His teachings.
In taking the children into His arms and blessing them, Jesus demonstrated that they could indeed participate in the Kingdom as infants. This understanding is reinforced by the question, "Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" (Ac 10:47). However, this application of baptismal water can only be justified if the children have first been brought to Christ for His blessing, and then only as a sign and seal of that blessing.