Matthew 19:13-15

The Basis Of The New Kingly Rule Is To Be Humility - Jesus Calls Young Children To Him To Be Blessed, For They Are An Example Of Those To Whom The Kingly Rule of Heaven Belongs (19:13-15).

A change of view about marriage has indicated that the Kingly Rule of Heaven was now present among them, and Jesus now further emphasises this latter fact by welcoming young children to Him to be blessed. This balances out the message of the last passage. There some were called on to abstain from marriage for the sake of the Kingly Rule of Heaven, because important matters are now in hand, but now He reminds them that they must never forget that it is the products of such marriages who form an important part of that Kingly Rule of Heaven that they are to serve. Let those who abstain from marriage not get above themselves, and see themselves as the important ones. For, as He has previously done, He now again points out that the Kingly Rule of Heaven is for those, and only those, who will come to it with the humility and openness of children (compare Matthew 18:1), and that applies to them as well.

However, as well as balancing off the previous passage, this incident is also preparatory to the one that follows. For in that incident a ‘not so small' and rather worldly-wise child will be found to be so taken up with his riches that he has no time for the Kingly Rule of Heaven. In his case he is not prepared to come to Jesus as a little child and thus receive the blessing he seeks, and so he goes away without it. Because his attitude is not that of a little child he is not open to receive Jesus' blessing.

Analysis.

a Then were there brought to Him little children, that He should lay His hands on them, and pray (Matthew 19:13 a).

b And the disciples rebuked them (Matthew 19:13 b).

b But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and forbid them not to come to Me, for of such is the Kingly Rule of Heaven” (Matthew 19:14).

a And he laid his hands on them, and departed from there (Matthew 19:15).

Note that in ‘a' young children are brought so that He may lay His hands on them, and in the parallel he does so. In ‘b' the disciples rebuke them, but in the parallel Jesus welcomes them.