God’s Word Translation
Matthew 19:13
13Then some people brought little children to Jesus to have him bless them and pray for them. But the disciples told the people not to do that.
Matthew 19:13 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
- New International Version (NIV)Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people,
- New King James Version (NKJV)Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.
Context of Matthew 19:13
11He answered them, “Not everyone can do what you suggest. Only those who have that gift can. 12For example, some men are celibate because they were born that way. Others are celibate because they were castrated. Still others have decided to be celibate because of the kingdom of heaven. If anyone can do what you’ve suggested, then he should do it.” Then some people brought little children to Jesus to have him bless them and pray for them. But the disciples told the people not to do that. 14Jesus said, “Don’t stop children from coming to me! Children like these are part of God’s kingdom.” 15After Jesus blessed them, he went away from there.
Read all of Matthew 19Matthew 19:13 word by word
Τότε προσηνέχθησαν αὐτῷ παιδία ἵνα τὰς χεῖρας ἐπιθῇ αὐτοῖς καὶ προσεύξηται· οἱ δὲ μαθηταὶ ἐπετίμησαν αὐτοῖς.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Thenτότεtote · thenG5119
- were there broughtπροσφέρωprospherō · to bring toG4374
- unto himαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- little childrenπαιδίονpaidion · childG3813
- thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
- he should putἐπιτίθημιepitithēmi · to put/lay onG2007
- handsχείρcheir · handG5495
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- prayπροσεύχομαιproseuchomai · to prayG4336
- andδέde · thenG1161
- the disciplesμαθητήςmathētēs · discipleG3101
- rebukedἐπιτιμάωepitimaō · to rebukeG2008
Cross-references for Matthew 19:13
- Matthew 18:2He called a little child and had him stand among them.
- Genesis 48:1Later Joseph was told, “Your father is ill.” So he took his two sons Manasseh and Ephraim ⌞to see Jacob⌟.
- 1 Samuel 1:24As soon as she had weaned Samuel, she took him with her. She also brought a three-year-old bull, half a bushel of flour, and a full wineskin. She brought him to the Lord’s house at Shiloh while the boy was ⌞still⌟ a child.
- Psalms 115:14May the Lord continue to bless you and your children.
- Jeremiah 32:39I will give them the same attitude and the same purpose so that they will fear me as long as they live. This will be for their own good and for the good of their children.
- Mark 10:13Some people brought little children to Jesus to have him hold them. But the disciples told the people not to do that.
- Luke 18:15Some people brought infants to Jesus to have him hold them. When the disciples saw this, they told the people not to do that.
- Acts 2:39This promise belongs to you and to your children and to everyone who is far away. It belongs to everyone who worships the Lord our God.”
- 1 Corinthians 7:14Actually, the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and an unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise, their children would be unacceptable ⌞to God⌟, but now they are acceptable to him.
- Matthew 16:22Peter took him aside and objected to this. He said, “Heaven forbid, Lord! This must never happen to you!”
- Matthew 20:31The crowd told them to be quiet. But they shouted even louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”
- Luke 9:49John replied, “Master, we saw someone forcing demons out of a person by using the power and authority of your name. We tried to stop him because he was not one of us.”
Commentaries on Matthew 19:13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13Then were there brought unto him little children - These are termed by Luke, Luke 18:15, , 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 Mark 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…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13Then were brought little children - See also Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17. 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…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-15Verses 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…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13Jesus would place his hands on others to bless them (see Luke 4:40; 13:13; see also Genesis 48:14–15; Acts 19:6). The disciples tried to stop the parents from bringing children to Jesus. They wanted to protect him, but their action showed the wrong attitude toward children (see Matthew 18:5–6, 10).Read the comment
Topics related to Matthew 19:13
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Matthew 19
- 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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