Verse:
Mark 10:14
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 (kingdom / basileia) of God.
Commentary by Barnes
Saw it. Saw the conduct of his disciples.
Was much displeased. Because, first, it was a pleasure to him to receive and bless little children; and, secondly, they were doing what they were not commanded to do--interfering in a case where it was evidently improper.
"much displease" Ephesians 4:26"of such is" Matthew 18:10; 1 Corinthians 14:20; 1 Peter 2:2; Revelation 14:5
Ephesians 4:26
"In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, Source
Matthew 18:10 1 Corinthians 14:20
"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. 1 Peter 2:2
Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. Revelation 14:5
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
Commentary by Coffman
Suffer the little children to come unto me ... To such belongeth the kingdom of God ...
Christ loved little children, and the scene here is one of beauty, love, and concern. Regarding the qualities Jesus might have had in mind by his statement that those who are "like" children possess the kingdom, there are three schools of thought. Some, like Barclay, thought Jesus had in mind such subjective qualities as humility, obedience, trust, and shortness of memory (not holding grudges, etc.). Erdman rejected such subjective qualities as those cited by Barclay but accepted their trustfulness (a subjective quality), and the objective facts of their helplessness and dependence, as qualities in those receiving the kingdom. Still others, like Turlington, see only the objective qualities as applicable. Thus: "The kingdom does not belong to the mighty, the strong, the influential; it belongs to the weak, the insignificant, and the unimportant.
They are wrong who read this as if it said that the kingdom belongs to little children. Again from Clarke:
He does not say that children are in his kingdom. Membership (in that kingdom) as Christ was preaching it, and as we must preach it, implies intelligence and personal faith. Here is no allusion to baptism; and here was his golden opportunity if he had ever wished baptism to be associated with infants. This is a place where we are justified in drawing a negative conclusion from the silence of the Scriptures.
While not denying that the objective qualities of little children are included, this student cannot exclude the subjective qualities as also having a place in Jesus' thoughts. It was clearly the subjective qualities of "spoiled children" that he made the basis of a comparison in Matt. 11:16,17; and that forbids ruling out the subjective qualities here.Source
Matt. 11:16,17
16 "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
17 " 'We played the flute for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge
and you did not mourn.'
Commentary by Fourfold Gospel
But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation1, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me; forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God2. Source
But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation. Suffer the little children to come unto me; forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God.
Jesus was indignant at the disciples' officious interference.
Jesus directed that the children be brought to him, declaring at the same time that the kingdom be composed, not of little children, but of such as are childlike in their nature.
Commentary by David Guzik
c. The disciples rebuked those who brought them: Because children love to come to Jesus, we should never block the way - or fail to provide them a way. We know more about Jesus than the women of Judea did. Is there any good reason for us not to bring our own children to Jesus? d. He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them: Jesus simply yet powerfully, blessed them. The ancient Greek verb is emphatic, literally meaning to fervently bless.
i. This is a duty for children's ministry workers, but especially for parents. The prayers and words of a parent can mean so much in the salvation of a child. Long into his adult life, Charles Spurgeon recalled the prayers of his mother for him: "Then came a mother's prayer, and some of the words of a mother's prayer we shall never forget, even when our hair is grey. I remember on one occasion her praying thus: 'Now, Lord, if my children go on in their sins, it will not be from ignorance that they perish, and my soul must bear a swift witness against them at the day of judgment if they lay not hold of Christ.' That thought of a mother's bearing swift witness against me, pierced my conscience and stirred my heart."
ii. It is especially important to bring children to Jesus when we remember they have a whole life in front of them to serve God with. "Will you be very angry if I say that a boy is more worth saving than a man? It is infinite mercy on God's part to save those who are seventy; for what good can they now do with the [burnt] end of their lives? When we get to be fifty or sixty, we are almost worn out, and if we have spent all our early days with the devil, what remains for God? But these dear boys and girls - there is something to be made out of them. If now they yield themselves to Christ they may have a long, happy, and holy day before them in which they may serve God with all their hearts. Who knows what glory God may have of them? Heathen lands may call them blessed. Whole nations may be enlightened by them." (Spurgeon)e. For of such is the kingdom of God: Children are not only for blessing; they are also examples of how we must enter the kingdom with a childlike faith, not with a childish faith. We must come to God with a faith that trusts God just like a little child with trust his father - and leave all the problems up to daddy.
i. How could children receive such a blessing from Jesus? Because children can receive the blessing of Jesus without trying to make themselves worthy of it, or pretending they do not need it. We need to receive God's blessing the same way. Source
i. The emphasis isn't that children are humble and innocent, because sometimes they aren't. But the emphasis is on the fact that children will receive, and don't feel they have to earn everything they get. Children are in a place where often all they can do is receive. They don't refuse gifts out of self-sufficient pride. So we must receive the kingdom of God as a little child - because we surely will by no means enter it by what we do or earn.
Commentary by John Gill
But when Jesus saw it he was much displeased;
Observed that his disciples reproved those that brought their children to, him, and said unto them;
with his disciples, who took too much upon them; for they ought first, to have known their master's will; whether it was his pleasure to grant the favour desired for these children, and not to have forbid them of themselves: suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God;
the disciples, as the Persic version reads: Source
or "of them who" are, (Nylh Kya) , "as these", as the Syriac version, renders the words; or, as the Arabic, who "are like to these"; and the Persic, who are "like to these little children"; in innocence and humility; (See Gill on Mark 19:14).
Mark 19:14
Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
Commentary by John Wesley
Verse 14. Jesus seeing it was much displeased Of such is the kingdom of God
- At their blaming those who were not blame worthy: and endeavouring to hinder the children from receiving a blessing. Source
- The members of the kingdom which I am come to set up in the world are such as these, as well as grown persons, of a child-like temper.
Commentary by Robertsons
He was moved with indignation (hganakthsen). Suffer the little children to come unto me (apete ta paidia erxestai prov me).
In Mark alone. The word is ingressive aorist, became indignant, and is a strong word of deep emotion (from agan and axtomai, to feel pain). Already in Matthew 21:15; Matthew 26:8. Old and common word.
Matthew 21:15 Matthew 26:8
But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant.
When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. Source
Mark has the infinitive erxestai (come) not in Matthew, but in Luke. Surely it ought to be a joy to parents to bring their children to Jesus, certainly to allow them to come, but to hinder their coming is a crime. There are parents who will have to give answer to God for keeping their children away from Jesus
About Commentary Authors
Prepared by William C. Barman for George Young Memorial United Methodist Church -- Palm Harbor, FL on 9/8/03; 6:26:01 AM