Amplified Bible
Luke 18:16
16But Jesus called them to Himself, saying [to the apostles], “Allow the children to come to Me, and do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Luke 18:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
- English Standard Version (ESV)But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.
- New King James Version (NKJV)But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
Context of Luke 18:16
14I tell you, this man went to his home justified [forgiven of the guilt of sin and placed in right standing with God] rather than the other man; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself [forsaking self-righteous pride] will be exalted.” 15Now they were also bringing their babies to Him, so that He would touch and bless them, and when the disciples noticed it, they began reprimanding them. But Jesus called them to Himself, saying [to the apostles], “Allow the children to come to Me, and do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God [with faith and humility] like a child will not enter it at all.” 18A certain ruler asked Him, “Good Teacher [You who are essentially and morally good], what shall I do to inherit eternal life [that is, eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]?”
Read all of Luke 18Luke 18:16 word by word
ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς προσεκαλέσατο αὐτὰ λέγων· ἄφετε τὰ παιδία ἔρχεσθαι πρός με καὶ μὴ κωλύετε αὐτά· τῶν γὰρ τοιούτων ἐστὶν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Butδέde · thenG1161
- JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424
- calledπροσκαλέωproskaleomai · to call to/summonG4341
- themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- and saidλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- Sufferἀφίημιaphiēmi · to release: permitG863
- little childrenπαιδίονpaidion · childG3813
- to comeἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
- untoπρόςpros · to/withG4314
- meἐγώegō · I/weG1473
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- forbidκωλύωkōluō · to preventG2967
- notμήmē · notG3361
- forγάρgar · forG1063
- of suchτοιοῦτοςtoioutos · such as thisG5108
- isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- the kingdomβασιλείαbasileia · kingdomG932
- of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
Cross-references for Luke 18:16
- Genesis 47:10And Jacob blessed Pharaoh, and departed from his presence.
- Genesis 21:4So Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, just as God had commanded him.
- Deuteronomy 29:11your little ones, your wives, and the stranger (resident alien, foreigner) who is in your camps, from the one who chops and gathers your firewood to the one who draws your water—
- Deuteronomy 31:12Assemble the people, the men and the women and children and the stranger (resident alien, foreigner) within your cities, so that they may hear and learn and fear the Lord your God [with awe-filled reverence and profound respect], and be careful to obey all the words of this law.
- 2 Chronicles 20:13So all Judah stood before the Lord, with their infants, their wives, and their children.
- Jeremiah 32:39and I will give them one heart and one way, that they may [reverently] fear Me forever, for their own good and for the good of their children after them.
- Acts 2:39For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is for you and your children and for all who are far away [including the Gentiles], as many as the Lord our God calls to Himself.”
- 1 Corinthians 7:14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified [that is, he receives the blessings granted] through his [Christian] wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be [ceremonially] unclean, but as it is they are holy.
- Matthew 18:3and said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
- 1 Corinthians 14:20Brothers and sisters, do not be children [immature, childlike] in your thinking; be infants in [matters of] evil [completely innocent and inexperienced], but in your minds be mature [adults].
- 1 Peter 2:2like newborn babies [you should] long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurtured and grow in respect to salvation [its ultimate fulfillment],
Commentaries on Luke 18:16
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15-30Verses 15-30 See the notes at Matthew 19:13-30.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-17Verses 15-17 None are too little, too young, to be brought to Christ, who knows how to show kindness to those not capable of doing service to him. It is the mind of Christ, that little children should be brought to him. The promise is to us, and to our seed; therefore He will bid them welcome to him with us. And we must receive his kingdom as children, not by purchase, and must call it our Father's gift.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15-17This incident illustrates 18:14. they rebuked those who brought them: In this cultural setting, children had little social importance (see study note on 9:48). Because of this, the disciples saw them as interrupting the important ministry of Jesus.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. But Jesus--"much displeased," says Mark (Mr 10:14); and invaluable addition. said--"Suffer the little children to come unto Me"--"AND FORBID THEM NOT," is the important addition of Matthew (Mt 19:14) and Mark (Mr 10:14). What words are these from the lips of Christ! The price of them is above rubies. But the reason assigned, "For of such is the Kingdom of God," or "of heaven," as in Mt 19:14, completes the previous information here conveyed…Read the comment
Topics related to Luke 18:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Luke 18
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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