Matthew 19 · Verse 13

Matthew 19:13

Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
Matthew 19:13, King James Version

Matthew 19:13 in other translations

BSBThen the little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. And the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
WEBThen little children were brought to him that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.
ASVThen were there brought unto him little children, that he should lay his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
YLTThen were brought near to him children that he might put hands on them and pray, and the disciples rebuked them.
DARBYThen there were brought to him little children that he might lay his hands on them and pray; but the disciples rebuked them.
BBEThen some people took little children to him, so that he might put his hands on them in blessing: and the disciples said sharp words to them.
WebsterThen were brought to him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

What does Matthew 19:13 mean?

Barnes' Notes
Verse 13. Then were there brought unto him little children. See also Mk 10:13-16, Lk 18:16-17. Probably these were brought by some of his followers, who desired not only to devote themselves to Jesus, but all that they had--their children as well as themselves. All the Jews were accustomed to devote their children to God by circumcision. It was natural, therefore, under the new dispensation, that it should be done. Luke says, they were infants. They were undoubtedly those who were not old enough to come by choice, but their coming was an act of the parents.

Put his hands on them, and pray. It was customary among the Jews, when blessings were sought for others in prayer, to lay the hands on the head of the person prayed for, implying a kind of consecration to God. See Gen 48:14, Mt 9:18. They had also much confidence in the prayers of pious men; believing that those blessed by a saint or a prophet would be happy. See Nu 22:6, Lk 2:28.

The disciples rebuked them. That is, reproved them, or told them it was improper. This they did, probably, either

(1.) because they thought they were too young; or,

(2.) because they thought they would be troublesome to their Master.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 13 Then were there brought unto him little children - These are termed by Luke, Luk 18:15, τα βρεφη, infants, very young children; and it was on this account, probably, that the disciples rebuked the parents, thinking them too young to receive good. See on Mar 10:16 (note). That he should put his hands - It was a common custom among the Jews to lay their hands on the heads of those whom they blessed, or for whom they prayed. This seems to have been done by way of dedication or consecration to God - the person being considered as the sacred property of God ever after. Often God added a testimony of his approbation, by communicating some extraordinary influence of the Holy Spirit. This rite has been long practised among Christians, when persons are appointed to any sacred office. But this consecration of children to God seems to have grown out of use. It is no wonder that the great mass of children are so wicked, when so few, are put under the care of Christ by humble, praying, believing parents. Let every parent that fears God bring up his children in that fear; and, by baptism, let each be dedicated to the holy trinity. Whatever is solemnly consecrated to God abides under his protection and blessing.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 19:13-15
It is well when we come to Christ ourselves, and bring our children. Little children may be brought to Christ as needing, and being capable of receiving blessings from him, and having an interest in his intercession. We can but beg a blessing for them: Christ only can command the blessing. It is well for us, that Christ has more love and tenderness in him than the best of his disciples have. And let us learn of him not to discountenance any willing, well-meaning souls, in their seeking after Christ, though they are but weak. Those who are given to Christ, as part of his purchase, he will in no wise cast out. Therefore he takes it ill of all who forbid, and try to shut out those whom he has received. And all Christians should bring their children to the Saviour that he may bless them with spiritual blessings.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Matthew 19:13 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΤότεToteThenG5119
προσηνέχθησανprosēnechthēsanwere broughtG4374
αὐτῷautōto HimG846
παιδίαpaidialittle childrenG3813
ἵναinathatG2443
τὰςtastheG3588
χεῖραςcheirashandsG5495
ἐπιθῇepithēaHe may layG2007
αὐτοῖςautoison themG846
καὶkaiandG2532
προσεύξηται·proseuxētaiHe may pray;G4336
οἱhoi<the>G3588
δὲdehoweverG1161
μαθηταὶmathētaithe disciplesG3101
ἐπετίμησανepetimēsanrebukedG2008
αὐτοῖς.autoisthem.G846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 19:13

  • Mark 10:13-16

    And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 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. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

  • Luke 18:15-17

    And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 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. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

  • Matthew 18:2-5

    And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 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. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

  • Acts 2:39

    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.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:14

    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 Samuel 1:24

    And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young.

  • Luke 9:49-50

    And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

  • Matthew 16:22

    Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

  • Psalms 115:14-15

    The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children. Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth.

  • Genesis 48:1

    And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.

  • Luke 9:54-55

    And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

  • Jeremiah 32:39

    And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
brought.
18:2-5; Ge 48:1,9-20; 1Sa 1:24; Ps 115:14,15; Jer 32:39; Mr 10:13
Lu 18:15; Ac 2:39; 1Co 7:14
and the.
16:22; 20:31; Lu 9:49,50,54,55

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Matthew 19:12

    For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

  • Matthew 19:13

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

  • Matthew 19:14

    But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Read all of Matthew 19

Matthew 19:13 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Entonces le fueron presentados unos niños, para que pusiese las manos sobre ellos, y orase; y los discípulos les riñeron.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Alors on lui apporta de petits enfants, afin qu’il leur impose les mains et qu’il prie; mais les disciples reprenaient ceux qui les apportaient.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Dann wurden Kindlein zu ihm gebracht, auf daß er ihnen die Hände auflege und bete; die Jünger aber verwiesen es ihnen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Tunc oblati sunt ei parvuli, ut manus eis imponeret, et oraret. Discipuli autem increpabant eos.