Matthew 19:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people,

NIV: Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.

NASB: Then some children were brought to Him so that He would lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.

CSB: Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.

NLT: One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.

KJV: Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

NKJV: Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.

Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem, but He is taking the long way around to get there. He is likely in Perea at this point, east of the Jordan River. Large crowds have been coming to Him for healing, and a group of Pharisees has been testing Him. Now some people have brought children to Jesus to lay His hands on and pray for them.

It's not surprising that any parent would want Jesus to bless their children, no matter who they thought Jesus to be. Perhaps, though, this was not a normal activity. The disciples decide that it is time to step in and move things along. They rebuke the people bringing the children to Jesus. It may be that the disciples did not see this blessing of children as an urgent need in comparison with the healing of the sick or maybe they were just trying to protect Jesus' time and energy.

Children in the Jewish society were deeply cared for, but they had no social standing. Their place was to learn and to serve, but not to get in the way. Jesus will correct the disciples and allow the people to continue to bring the children to Him.

Matthew 19:13–15 describes Jesus overruling the disciples when they rebuke people bringing children to Jesus. They want Jesus to lay hands on the children and pray for them. Jesus tells the disciples not to stand in the way of the little children because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like them.

Pharisees ask Jesus if it is lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause. Jesus reminds them marriage was designed by God at creation. Divorce, then, is lawful only in the case of sexual immorality. A rich young man asks Jesus what good thing he must do to have eternal life. Jesus insists only God is good. He challenges the man's sincerity by asking him to give all his wealth to the poor and follow Him. The man's refusal demonstrates how easy it is to prefer wealth to dependence on God. In response to the disciples' question, Jesus says salvation is impossible with men but not with God.

Matthew 19 follows Jesus' teachings about temptation and forgiveness in chapter 18. This passage begins with Jesus leaving behind Galilee and heading toward Jerusalem the long way around. Jesus tells the Pharisees that divorce is legal only in cases of sexual immorality. Jesus blesses little children and then answers a rich young man who asks how to have eternal life. The man leaves sad after Jesus challenges him to give his money to the poor and follow Him. Jesus says salvation is impossible with men, but not with God. Chapter 20 contains additional parables and examples, and is the last before Jesus arrives in Jerusalem in the days just prior to His crucifixion.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.

Accessed 5/5/2024 6:24:07 AM