Jesus and the Children
The Kingdom Belongs to Such as These
Where to find this story in the Bible
The story of Jesus and the Children is found in Mark 10:13-16 of the King James Bible (Matthew and Mark and Luke).
Books: Matthew, Mark, Luke
Historical & Cultural Context
This event occurred during Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem. Parents brought young children (the Greek brephos in Luke's account means infants and toddlers) for Jesus to touch and bless them. The disciples rebuked the parents — in their view, children were unimportant and the Rabbi's time was too valuable. Jesus' indignation (the only time this specific Greek word, aganakteo, is used of Jesus) reveals how seriously He takes the exclusion of the vulnerable from His presence.
Key Characters
Key Verses
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 of God."Read in context
Mark 10:15
"Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."Read in context
Parents Seek a Blessing
Parents were bringing their young children and infants to Jesus so He would touch and bless them. In first-century Jewish culture, receiving a rabbi's blessing was considered a great honor. These parents recognized something special about Jesus and wanted their children to experience His presence. It was a simple, heartfelt act of devotion.
The Disciples' Rebuke
The disciples, perhaps trying to protect Jesus' time for 'more important' matters, rebuked the parents and tried to turn them away. They may have considered children too unimportant for the Messiah's attention. But Mark records a detail found nowhere else: Jesus was 'much displeased' — a strong Greek word (aganakteō) indicating genuine indignation. The only people He rebuked were His own disciples.
Embraced and Blessed
Jesus took the children into His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. His actions went beyond mere permission — He actively embraced them. Then He taught a lesson His followers would never forget: 'Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.' The kingdom doesn't belong to the impressive or the self-sufficient but to those who come with the open-handed trust of a child.
Symbolism & Typology
Children Coming to Jesus
Children represent those who cannot earn, achieve, or argue their way to God. They come with empty hands and simple trust. The kingdom belongs to those who approach God with childlike dependence rather than adult self-sufficiency.
Jesus' Indignation
Jesus was 'much displeased' — genuinely angry at the disciples' gatekeeping. Religious people who create barriers between the vulnerable and God provoke Christ's strongest reactions. The church's primary sin is often making access harder, not easier.
Touching and Blessing
Jesus took the children in His arms, laid hands on them, and blessed them. Physical touch communicated acceptance, belonging, and value. In a world that dismissed children as non-persons, Jesus elevated them to models of faith.
'Of Such Is the Kingdom'
Children don't analyze, negotiate, or qualify their need — they simply come and receive. Kingdom citizenship requires this posture: acknowledging total dependence, accepting gifts without earning them, and trusting the Father without demanding explanations.
Cross-References
Spiritual Lessons
Children Have Full Access to Jesus
Jesus didn't merely tolerate children — He welcomed them with open arms and genuine delight. Every child matters to God, and no person is too young or too small for His attention.
Childlike Faith Is the Model for All Believers
Children come without pretense, without credentials, without self-righteousness. They simply trust. Jesus says this is how everyone must receive the kingdom — not with adult sophistication but with humble, open-hearted dependence.
Gatekeeping Has No Place in the Kingdom
The disciples tried to control who had access to Jesus. He sharply corrected them. Whenever we decide who is 'worthy' of God's attention, we repeat the disciples' error.
Discussion Questions
Use these questions for personal reflection, small groups, or family Bible time.
What does the story of Jesus and the Children teach us about children have full access to jesus? How have you seen this truth in your own life?
Childlike Faith Is the Model for All Believers: How does this lesson from Jesus and the Children challenge the way you think or act today?
Put yourself in jesus's position. What would have been the hardest part of this experience? What would have required the most faith?
The theme of this story is "Jesus' Teaching." Where do you see this theme playing out in the world today?
How does this story reveal something about who Jesus is and what He came to do?
If you could share one truth from Jesus and the Children with someone who has never read the Bible, what would it be?
Family Activity Ideas
Bring this story to life with hands-on activities for children and families.
📖 Scripture Memory Challenge
Memorize Mark 10:14 together as a family this week. Write it on a card, post it on the fridge, and practice saying it each morning. By the end of the week, see who can recite it from memory!
All ages🎭 Act It Out
Have family members take turns acting out different scenes from Jesus and the Children. Assign roles, create simple costumes from household items, and let everyone participate. After the performance, discuss what each character might have been feeling.
Ages 4–12📝 Story Journal
Give each family member a few minutes to write or draw their favorite part of Jesus and the Children. Share your entries and discuss what stood out to each person. Keep these pages in a family Bible journal you can look back on.
Ages 5+🍽️ Dinner Table Devotion
At dinner this week, read Mark 10:15 aloud and ask each person: "What is one thing from the story of Jesus and the Children that you want to remember?" Let everyone share — even the youngest.
All agesFrequently Asked Questions
Where is the story of Jesus and the Children in the Bible?
The story of Jesus and the Children is found in Mark 10:13-16 of the King James Bible (Matthew and Mark and Luke).
Where in the Bible is the story of Jesus and the Children?
You can find the story of Jesus and the Children in Mark 10:13-16 (KJV).
Where does the story of Jesus and the Children start in the Bible?
The story of Jesus and the Children begins in Mark 10:13-16. When parents bring their children to Jesus for blessing, the disciples try to send them away. Jesus rebukes His own followers, welcomes the children, and declares that the kingdom of God belongs to those who receive it with childlike trust.
Why did Jesus say the kingdom belongs to children?
Jesus was not idealizing childhood innocence but pointing to the posture of children: they come dependent, trusting, and without pretense. A child doesn't earn a parent's love — they simply receive it. This is how all people must receive God's kingdom: not through achievement but through humble, trusting faith.
Why were the disciples upset about the children?
The disciples likely considered children unimportant in the social hierarchy and thought Jesus had more significant things to do. Their attitude reflected the cultural norm that children were seen but not heard. Jesus overturned this by making children the model for kingdom citizenship.
Does this passage support infant baptism?
Christians hold different views. Some denominations see Jesus' blessing of infants as support for infant baptism, arguing that children are included in God's covenant community. Others maintain that baptism requires personal faith and see this passage as affirming children's importance without prescribing a specific sacrament. Both agree that children are precious to God.
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