But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
In this scene from Luke's account of Jesus' life, people were bringing young children to Jesus to receive his blessing, and his disciples tried to turn them away — likely assuming Jesus had more important people to attend to. Jesus intervenes sharply: do not stop the children from coming. In the ancient world, children had no social standing or formal status — they were completely dependent on others and often seen as insignificant. Jesus' statement that 'the kingdom of God belongs to such as these' points to something essential: the posture of those who enter God's kingdom is not one of rank or achievement, but of humble, trusting dependence.
Jesus, thank You for stopping for the small and the overlooked. Teach me to come to You like a child — without pretense, without needing to earn my way in, just trusting that You want me near. And keep me from ever hindering others from coming to You too. Amen.
The disciples thought they were being practical. Jesus had crowds pressing in, real needs to address, conversations happening that could change lives. Children don't vote, don't lead, don't carry influence. And yet Jesus stopped everything. Not to make a sentimental point about innocence — children in the ancient world weren't romanticized the way we sometimes portray them. They were simply the lowest on the social ladder: powerless, voiceless, dependent on everyone else. That's exactly who Jesus said belongs at the center. This is worth sitting with if you have ever felt like you weren't important enough to bother God with something. The disciples — people who genuinely loved Jesus — tried to keep small things away from him. You might be doing the same. The ordinary Tuesday worry that feels embarrassing to even admit. The fear that seems too small for the Son of God. The prayer you've been holding back because it doesn't feel significant enough. Bring it anyway. He said not to hinder the children. He means you too.
Why do you think the disciples tried to stop the children from coming — and what assumptions about importance or access to Jesus were they operating under?
What qualities of a child — dependence, trust, lack of pretense — do you find hardest to hold onto in your relationship with God as an adult?
Is there something unsettling about a kingdom that 'belongs to' the powerless and overlooked rather than the accomplished or influential? What does that challenge in how you think about value and status?
Think of someone in your life who is regularly overlooked or dismissed. How does Jesus' response to the children in this passage change how you see or treat that person?
What is one thing you have been holding back from God because it felt too trivial or too embarrassing? What would it look like to bring it to him openly this week?
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 19:14
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off , even as many as the Lord our God shall call .
Acts 2:39
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Mark 10:14
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:4
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:3
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
Ecclesiastes 12:1
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
1 Corinthians 7:14
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby :
1 Peter 2:2
But Jesus called them to Himself, saying [to the apostles], "Allow the children to come to Me, and do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
AMP
But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.
ESV
But Jesus called for them, saying, 'Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
NASB
But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
NIV
But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
NKJV
Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.
NLT
Jesus called them back. "Let these children alone. Don't get between them and me. These children are the kingdom's pride and joy.
MSG