Bible Study series: Matthew 19:13-15. All people should do the same. This exhortation follows the teaching on divorce.
A warm welcome to this Bible study! I write to learn, so let’s learn together. I also translate to learn. The translations are mine, unless otherwise noted. If you would like to see many others, please click on this link:
In the next link to the original chapter, I comment more and offer the Greek text. At the bottom you will find a “Summary and Conclusion” section geared toward discipleship. Check it out!
In this post, links are provided for further study.
Let’s begin.
Scripture: Matthew 19:13-15
13 At that time, they brought to him little children so that he would place his hands on them and pray. But the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Allow the little children and don’t prevent them to come to me, for the kingdom of heaven is made of such as these. 15 After he placed his hands on them, he left from there.” (Matt. 19:13-15)
Comments:
In the context of divorce and remarriage, Jesus demonstrates his love for children. There is a connection. Don’t degrade children with your dysfunctional relationship or drag them down with your divorce. Always support the children, not use them as pawns to punish the offending spouse.
13-15:
We come to another demographic who might be oppressed or neglected: children. (Women were the first ones, in the previous pericope, pronounced puh-RIH-koh-pea or unit or section). Jesus wants to show that he protects women from cheap divorce and bless children. They are treasured in God’s sight.
The parents brought their children to Jesus because the parents knew something special was happening in his life. Every reader of this commentary right here should bring their children to church and dedicate them to the Lord and have the pastoral staff pray for them. If the kids are too old now, then maintain your prayer life for them. Ask Jesus, from heaven, to bless them.
“pray”:
What Is Biblical Intercession?
“disciples”:
The disciples miss the boat again, not catching on. Why were they so protective? Were they tense because they were on their way to Jerusalem, and the crowds didn’t know anything about his mission? Jesus did repeatedly predict that he was about to be tried and executed (Luke 5:35; 9:22, 43-45; 12:50 13:32-33; Matt. 16:21; Mark 2:20). So the disciples were afraid, maybe. Or maybe they were simply obtuse. It’s difficult to read the inner thoughts of a person, when the text does not disclose them.
“Children were low-status dependents; they had to trust adults and receive when they provided … Low in status, they could not be permitted to deter a teacher like Jesus from ‘important’ matter—at least, this was the view of the disciples (19:13). Disciples, who owed great respect to their teachers, typically sought to avert other interruptions for them (2 Kings 4:27) … Jesus responds like Elisha to disciples seeking to shield him from others’ supplications: ‘Let the person alone’ (2 Kings 4:27)” (Keener, p. 473).
“rebuked”: the verb could be translated as “scolded,” “warned,” “censure.”
“allow”: it is the verb could be translated “release” or “let (them) go” to come to me. But “permit” or “allow” is best here.
“kingdom of heaven”: see vv. 10-12 for more comments.
GrowApp for Matt. 19:13-15
1. If you have little children, did you dedicate them to the Lord in public, at church? What was that like?
2. If your children are big now and you did not dedicate them, do you still maintain your prayer life for them and ask Jesus to bless them from heaven? Share your story.
RELATED
9. Authoritative Testimony in Matthew’s Gospel
1. Church Fathers and Matthew’s Gospel
2. Archaeology and the Synoptic Gospels
14. Similarities among John’s Gospel and the Synoptic Gospels
1. The Historical Reliability of the Gospels: Introduction to Series
SOURCES AND MORE
To see the bibliography, please click on this link and scroll down to the bottom. You will also find a “Summary and Conclusion” for discipleship.
Dr. Jim's Essential Bible Teaching 