Jesus Blesses the Children
"Let the little children come to Me"
Two things you can tap
- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
Story
What happened?
Tap a verse number, like , to read the Bible’s exact words.
The whole story, in shortWhat happens, start to finish. Open it if you want the ending first.
People brought little children to Jesus so he would bless them, but the disciples scolded them. Jesus was indignant and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." He said anyone who does not receive God's kingdom like a little child will never enter it, and he took the children in his arms and blessed them.
Where it is in the Bible: Mark 10:13-16
Who’s who and what came beforePeople, places, and the story so far. Open it anytime.
Scene Card
Cast
- Jesus: The one the Gospels present as the promised Messiah and the Son of God. He is on his way to Jerusalem.
- The people bringing children: Parents and others who want Jesus to bless their children.
- The little children: Mark does not say how old they were. Some may have been babies.
- The disciples: Jesus's closest followers. They try to send the children away.
Setting
- The region of Judea, beyond the Jordan River. Crowds have come to hear Jesus teach.
When
- About 2,000 years ago, not long before Jesus went to Jerusalem to die.
Before the Story
The disciples had argued about who was the greatest. Jesus said that whoever wants to be first must be the servant of all. Then he took a little child in his arms (9:33-36).
Jesus said something about welcoming children. "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me" (9:37).
Crowds came to Jesus wherever he went. He taught them, as he always did (10:1).
Here's what you know that the disciples seem to have forgotten: Jesus already showed them how much he cares about children (9:36-37).
Map of the Story
| Scene | Verses | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. "Not now" | 10:13 | The disciples try to stop people bringing children |
| 2. "Let the little children come" | 10:14-15 | Jesus is upset with the disciples |
| 3. In his arms | 10:16 | Jesus holds the children and blesses them |
Plain Retelling
Scene 1 of 3"Not Now"
People were bringing little children to Jesus. They wanted Jesus to place his hands on them. That was a way of blessing them.
The disciples rebuked the people who brought them. To rebuke means to scold someone or tell them they are wrong.
The disciples may have thought Jesus was too busy, or that children were not important enough. Mark doesn't tell us why.
Scene 2 of 3"Let the Little Children Come"
Jesus saw what was happening. He was indignant. Indignant means upset because something is wrong.
Mark is the only Gospel writer who tells us Jesus was upset here. He was not upset with the children. He was upset with his disciples.
"Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them!" Jesus said. To hinder means to get in the way.
"For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" (10:14). The kingdom of God means God's rule, the way God runs things.
Then Jesus said something to the grown-ups. "Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it" (10:15).
Scene 3 of 3In His Arms
Then Jesus took the children in his arms.
He placed his hands on them, and he blessed them. To bless means to ask for God's good gifts for someone.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "The disciples rebuked those who brought them" (10:13) | The disciples thought children did not matter enough to bother Jesus. |
| "He was indignant" (10:14) | Jesus was upset with anyone who kept children away from him. |
| "Let the little children come to Me" (10:14) | Jesus welcomes children. They are not too small or too young. |
| "The kingdom of God belongs to such as these" (10:14) | God's kingdom is for people who cannot earn it, like little children. |
| "Receive the kingdom of God like a little child" (10:15) | A little child receives a gift without paying for it. That is how everyone enters God's kingdom. |
| "He took the children in His arms" (10:16) | Jesus didn't just allow children. He held them and blessed them. |
Back Then
Children had little power. Children could not earn money or make decisions. They depended completely on their families.
Placing hands on someone was a way to bless them. In the Old Testament, Jacob placed his hands on his grandsons to bless them (Genesis 48:14).
Matthew and Luke tell this story too. Luke says some of the children were babies (Luke 18:15).
Literal Reader Alert
Does this mean only children go to heaven? No. Jesus said everyone must "receive the kingdom of God like a little child" (10:15). That means receiving it as a gift, the way a child receives a present. Grown-ups can do that too.
Did Jesus mean we should act childish? No. He didn't mean silly or immature. He meant trusting and receiving, the way children depend on the people who love them.
Were the disciples bad people? No. They made a mistake. Jesus corrected them, and he kept teaching them.
Is it okay for any adult to put their hands on a child? Jesus blessed these children in public, in front of everyone, with the parents who brought them. A safe grown-up never asks a child to keep a secret about touching. If any adult touches you in a way that feels wrong, it is not your fault. Tell a parent, teacher, school counselor, pastor, or another trusted adult right away. In the U.S., you can call or text the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. If you are in danger, call 911 or your local emergency number.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The parents | Hopeful | They wanted Jesus to bless their children (10:13) |
| The disciples | Sure they were right | They thought the children were in the way (10:13) |
| Jesus | Indignant | His disciples were keeping children away (10:14) |
| The children | Welcomed | Jesus held them and blessed them (10:16) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
How does it feel to hear that Jesus welcomes children? Tap one.
Happy
Good. Jesus wants children near him. That includes you.
I'm not a kid anymore
Jesus said grown-ups enter God's kingdom the same way: by receiving it like a child.
I feel too small
The children in this story were small too. Jesus didn't send them away. He held them.
I've been sent away
The disciples tried to send the children away. Jesus said, "Let them come." He wants you too.
You Might Have Heard
"Kids can learn about Jesus when they're older and can understand."
What's true: Learning more about Jesus as we grow is good. There is always more to learn.
What the story is mainly about: Jesus wanted the children with him right then. He didn't make them wait until they understood more. He said God's kingdom belongs to them. The grown-ups were the ones who needed to learn from the children.
Where Jesus is: Holding children in his arms, with his hands on their heads, blessing them.
Good News
The children couldn't do anything to earn Jesus's blessing. They couldn't even come to him on their own. Someone carried them.
"Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" (10:14).
That's how God's kingdom comes to all of us: as a gift, received with empty hands.
Jesus welcomes children, and everyone who comes to him like a child. His kingdom is a gift.
Big Idea
Jesus welcomes little children and blesses them. Everyone enters God's kingdom the same way: by receiving it as a gift.
If this story brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther's service for Baptism included this story. It was read to show that Jesus welcomes children and wants them brought to him. This is one reason Lutherans baptize babies.
In the Large Catechism, Luther taught that we bring a child to Baptism trusting God's command and promise, not the child's own understanding.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It reads Mark 10:2-16 in October of Year B (Lectionary 27). Many churches also read this story at baptisms.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them!
How did that feel?
You finished Jesus Blesses the Children.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 27 Year BGospel, Mark 10:2–16
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Jesus Blesses the Children, explained in plain words. The disciples try to send the children away. Jesus takes them in his arms. About 9 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/jesus-blesses-the-children/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church