Matthew 19:13 - Then little children were brought to him, that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.
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What does "Matthew 19:13" mean?
Matthew 19:13 describes a scene where people were bringing young children to Jesus so he could touch them and pray for them. However, the disciples, Jesus' followers, rebuked (scolded or discouraged) the people bringing the children.
Here's a breakdown of what the verse means and its potential interpretations:
"Then little children were brought to him...": This indicates that people recognized Jesus' spiritual authority and wanted him to bless their children. It suggests a desire for protection, guidance, and divine favor for the young ones. The word "little children" (Greek: paidia) can refer to infants to children of perhaps 6-7 years old.
"...that he should lay his hands on them and pray...": Laying hands on someone was a common practice in Jewish tradition for blessing, healing, or imparting authority. Prayer was a central aspect of Jesus' ministry, and people sought his intercession with God.
"...and the disciples rebuked them.": This is the key point of the verse. The disciples, for reasons we can only speculate on, were preventing the children from reaching Jesus. Possible reasons for their actions include:
Protecting Jesus' time and energy: They may have felt Jesus was busy with more important matters and that these children were a distraction.
Underestimating the importance of children: In that society, children might not have been seen as significant as adults. The disciples might have thought Jesus' time would be better spent on adults who could more directly benefit from his teachings.
Bureaucratic thinking: They may have felt they were acting as gatekeepers, controlling access to Jesus.
Significance and Interpretation:
This verse sets the stage for Jesus' response in the following verses, which is crucial for understanding its meaning. Jesus' reaction to the disciples' rebuke is what gives this verse its power:
It highlights Jesus' love and value for children: His response to the disciples is a strong statement that children are important and deserving of his attention and blessing.
It challenges societal norms: Jesus often challenged the social hierarchy of his time, and this is another example of him elevating the value of those often overlooked.
It emphasizes humility and receptivity: Children are often seen as more humble and receptive to God's grace. Jesus' welcoming of them suggests the importance of these qualities in spiritual life.
It's a call to prioritize the needs of the vulnerable: Children represent vulnerability and dependence. Jesus' actions serve as a reminder to care for and protect those in need.
In conclusion, Matthew 19:13 is more than just a description of an event. It's a powerful introduction to Jesus' teaching on the importance of children and a challenge to our own attitudes towards the vulnerable and the overlooked. It sets the scene for Jesus' lesson on who belongs to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 19:13 - Then little children were brought to him, that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.
What does "Matthew 19:13" mean?
Matthew 19:13 describes a scene where people were bringing young children to Jesus so he could touch them and pray for them. However, the disciples, Jesus' followers, rebuked (scolded or discouraged) the people bringing the children.
Here's a breakdown of what the verse means and its potential interpretations:
"Then little children were brought to him...": This indicates that people recognized Jesus' spiritual authority and wanted him to bless their children. It suggests a desire for protection, guidance, and divine favor for the young ones. The word "little children" (Greek: paidia) can refer to infants to children of perhaps 6-7 years old.
"...that he should lay his hands on them and pray...": Laying hands on someone was a common practice in Jewish tradition for blessing, healing, or imparting authority. Prayer was a central aspect of Jesus' ministry, and people sought his intercession with God.
"...and the disciples rebuked them.": This is the key point of the verse. The disciples, for reasons we can only speculate on, were preventing the children from reaching Jesus. Possible reasons for their actions include:
Protecting Jesus' time and energy: They may have felt Jesus was busy with more important matters and that these children were a distraction.
Underestimating the importance of children: In that society, children might not have been seen as significant as adults. The disciples might have thought Jesus' time would be better spent on adults who could more directly benefit from his teachings.
Bureaucratic thinking: They may have felt they were acting as gatekeepers, controlling access to Jesus.
Significance and Interpretation:
This verse sets the stage for Jesus' response in the following verses, which is crucial for understanding its meaning. Jesus' reaction to the disciples' rebuke is what gives this verse its power:
It highlights Jesus' love and value for children: His response to the disciples is a strong statement that children are important and deserving of his attention and blessing.
It challenges societal norms: Jesus often challenged the social hierarchy of his time, and this is another example of him elevating the value of those often overlooked.
It emphasizes humility and receptivity: Children are often seen as more humble and receptive to God's grace. Jesus' welcoming of them suggests the importance of these qualities in spiritual life.
It's a call to prioritize the needs of the vulnerable: Children represent vulnerability and dependence. Jesus' actions serve as a reminder to care for and protect those in need.
In conclusion, Matthew 19:13 is more than just a description of an event. It's a powerful introduction to Jesus' teaching on the importance of children and a challenge to our own attitudes towards the vulnerable and the overlooked. It sets the scene for Jesus' lesson on who belongs to the Kingdom of Heaven.