called them St Mark adds that Jesus was much displeased with the officious interference of the disciples who so little understood His tenderness.

Suffer little children Rather, the little children.

for of such is the kingdom of God Because children are meek, humble, trustful, guileless, unsophisticated, pure. It was a lesson which Jesus often taught, Matthew 5:3; Matthew 11:25; Matthew 17:10; Mat 17:14; 1 Corinthians 14:20; 1 Peter 2:1-2.

receive the kingdom of God as a little child See Matthew 11:25. Hence the Psalmist says, "My soul is even as a weaned child," Psalms 131:2. Tradition (erroneously) supposed that St Ignatius was one of these children.

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