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Matthew 19

And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;

And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.

But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.

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.

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

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

And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

What does Matthew 19:13 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 19:13 recounts a moment during Jesus' ministry when children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray. The laying on of hands was a common Jewish gesture of blessing.

However, the disciples saw the children as a disturbance to Jesus' more "important" activities and rebuked those who brought them.

Despite this, Jesus' response is one of welcome, emphasizing that His kingdom belongs to those who are like these little children.

This interaction illustrates Jesus' inclusive approach to all individuals, regardless of age or social status, and highlights the value of childlikeness within the Christian faith.

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Historical Context

At the time of Jesus, children were often considered among the lowest in social hierarchy and were not given much attention in a rabbinic teaching scenario.

Adults, especially male adults, were typically the focal point of religious teachings and activities.

For the disciples to rebuke those bringing children was a reflection of the cultural norms that did not see children as significant participants in religious life.

Jesus' action to welcome and bless the children was a radical departure from these norms and conveyed a powerful message about the inclusive nature of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse has several implications:

Inclusivity of the Kingdom: Jesus' welcome of children is an indication that the Kingdom of Heaven is open to all, regardless of age, status, or perceived worthiness.
Dependence and Humility: Children in the ancient world were dependent on adults for their welfare.

In a spiritual sense, Jesus suggests that the same dependence and humility are necessary traits for those who would enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Value of the Individual: This verse indicates a revolutionary view that every individual is precious in the sight of God, overturning cultural norms that undervalued children.
Childlikeness: It provides a frame for understanding the quality of 'childlikeness,' often associated with purity, openness, and trust, which are traits desirable for followers of Christ.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can be applied in several ways:

Welcoming Attitude: Cultivating an attitude that welcomes the least, the last, and the lost, reflecting Jesus' own actions.
Valuing Children: Ensuring that children are given importance in religious communities, not merely as the future of the church but as present members.
Humility: Embracing a personal stance of humility and dependency on God, regardless of one's age or achievements.
Service: Serving others in the spirit of welcoming the vulnerable and those who society may discount or overlook.

Cross-References

Mark 10:14-16: "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."
Luke 18:15-17: "... for of such is the kingdom of God."
Matthew 18:3-4: "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the word used for children is παιδία (paidia), which could refer to young children or infants. The significance here is in the helplessness and dependence that these young ones represent.

It is not just about physical age but about the attitude of the heart that Jesus is emphasizing.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the broader cultural and religious context of the time, children were rarely the focus of religious or philosophical instruction.

Contrasting with other contemporary religious systems which may have placed less emphasis on children, Jesus' teaching and treatment of children becomes distinct and radical.

Comparatively, in many ancient myths, gods often interacted with heroes and adults, not children, further underlining the unique approach of Jesus' message.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the developmental qualities of children, such as openness to learning, adaptability, and trust, are often highlighted.

These characteristics can be seen in light of Jesus' teachings on childlikeness, possibly providing a bridge between the realms of faith and developmental psychology.

Commentaries

Biblical commentaries shed light on Matthew 19:13 by emphasizing the radical shift that Jesus introduces in the value system of His time.

By welcoming children, Jesus is not only erasing social barriers but also paving the way for a new understanding of what it means to be great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Experts often highlight the counter-cultural nature of Jesus' actions and how He uses this moment to teach about the Kingdom's values.

They may also explore the symbolic role of children in the narrative as a stand-in for all who are marginalized and deemed unimportant by society.

Matthew 19

Matthew 19

What does Matthew 19:13 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 19:13 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?