Luke 18 16

Luke 18:16 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.

Luke 18:16 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.

Luke 18:16 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.

Luke 18:16 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.

Luke 18:16 nlt

Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.

Luke 18 verses

Luke 18 16 Meaning

Luke 18:16 presents Jesus' profound counter-cultural teaching that access to the Kingdom of God is dependent not on adult status, self-sufficiency, or worldly power, but on qualities akin to those found in young children: humility, dependence, receptivity, and simple trust. Jesus rebukes His disciples' attempts to hinder those bringing children to Him, asserting that such childlike dispositions are the very prerequisite for entering and experiencing God's rule. It underscores God's valuing of the vulnerable and simple, in contrast to the world's esteem for the strong and self-righteous.

Luke 18 16 Context

Luke 18:16 follows directly after Jesus’s disciples rebuke people who are bringing infants (paidia) to Him so that He might touch them (Lk 18:15). This act by the disciples reflects a common societal attitude in the ancient world where children held little status and were considered of minimal importance, particularly in religious gatherings. They were often seen as property, lacking independent legal rights or social standing. The disciples likely viewed them as an annoying distraction from Jesus’s important work, trying to manage His time and protect Him.

The broader context of Luke chapter 18 significantly enriches the understanding of this verse. It is situated immediately after the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Lk 18:9-14), which condemns self-righteousness and praises the humble, penitent heart. Jesus then proceeds from this encounter with the children to the interaction with the Rich Young Ruler (Lk 18:18-27), who found it impossible to enter the Kingdom due to his attachment to wealth and inability to depend entirely on God. These successive teachings starkly contrast those who consider themselves worthy or self-sufficient (the Pharisee, the disciples' worldly view, the rich ruler) with those who exhibit humility and dependence (the tax collector, the little children). This places the welcome of children as a key illustration of the humble, trusting disposition required for true kingdom entry.

Luke 18 16 Word analysis

• But (δὲ - de): A conjunction indicating a strong contrast or opposition. Here, it highlights Jesus’s immediate and opposing response to the disciples’ action of rebuking those bringing children. It signals a redirection and re-education.
• Jesus (Ἰησοῦς - Iēsous): The Son of God, speaking with divine authority. His character is consistently depicted as welcoming and compassionate towards the marginalized.
• called them (προσεκαλέσατο - prosekalesato): An aorist middle verb from proskaleomai, meaning "He called to Himself" or "He summoned." This implies an active, purposeful gathering to teach. It's not a casual invitation but a direct call to bring them closer, a deliberate act of inclusion in contrast to the disciples' exclusion.
• said (εἶπεν - eipen): Marks a formal declaration, a teaching. Jesus's words are authoritative and binding, often challenging conventional wisdom.
• Let (Ἄφετε - aphete): An imperative verb from aphiemi, meaning "allow," "permit," or "send away" (in the sense of releasing from restraint). It's a direct command to the disciples to cease their hindering actions and instead facilitate access.
• the little children (τὰ παιδία - ta paidia): The definite article "the" singles out this specific group. Paidia refers to young children, often indicating a toddler or school-aged child (as distinct from brephē, infants, used in Lk 18:15). They are physically small, dependent, unpretentious, lacking social status, and possessive of simple trust. Jesus does not suggest they are sinless, but that their disposition of absolute reliance, humility, and lack of pretense is paradigmatic for kingdom entry.
• come to Me (ἔρχεσθαι πρός με - erchesthai pros me): Emphasizes direct, personal access and relationship with Jesus. The focus is on the children’s simple act of coming to Him, underscoring that access to the Kingdom is through Christ Himself.
• and do not forbid them (καὶ μὴ κωλύσητε αὐτά - kai mē kōlysēte auta): This is a strong, emphatic prohibition. Kolyo means "to hinder," "prevent," or "restrain." Jesus issues both a positive command ("Let them come") and a negative prohibition ("do not hinder"), leaving no room for misunderstanding of His will. It underlines Jesus’s stance against any barrier to the vulnerable coming to Him.
• for (γάρ - gar): A causal conjunction, meaning "because" or "for." It introduces the foundational reason for Jesus’s command, linking the disposition of children directly to the nature of the Kingdom of God.
• of such (τοιούτων - toioutōn): A genitive plural adjective meaning "of such kind," "of such as these." This is crucial. It does not limit the Kingdom to literal children, but clarifies that it belongs to those whose spiritual character and disposition resemble that of the children – characterized by humility, dependence, trust, receptivity, and an absence of self-righteousness or perceived merit.
• is the kingdom of God (ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ - estin hē basileia tou Theou): The core message of Jesus’s ministry. "Is" (estin) points to a present reality; the Kingdom is not just a future hope but also a present sphere of God’s rule. It signifies that the ownership or inheritors of God’s reigning power are those who adopt a childlike posture.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But Jesus called them... and do not forbid them": This phrase reveals Jesus's radical inversion of societal norms and even His disciples' instincts. While others might dismiss or see children as hindrances, Jesus actively draws them near. His dual command (let them come, do not hinder) underscores a clear divine mandate against exclusion, particularly for the vulnerable and dependent. It also highlights a persistent theme of the disciples misunderstanding Jesus's mission and methods.
• "for of such is the kingdom of God": This powerful statement forms the theological justification for Jesus's actions. It explicitly links the Kingdom of God not to intellectual understanding, social status, or age, but to a spiritual disposition exemplified by children. This clarifies that spiritual entrance into God's reign requires shedding adult pride, self-sufficiency, and merit-based thinking in favor of a humble, trusting, and dependent heart.

Luke 18 16 Bonus section

• Jesus's consistent identification with and elevation of the marginalized and overlooked (the poor, the sick, tax collectors, women, children) is a hallmark of His ministry, reflecting the very nature of God’s preferential option for the humble.
• This verse stands as a silent polemic against religious systems that inadvertently create barriers for "the least of these" or equate spiritual maturity with worldly standing, complex rituals, or intellectual prowess. Jesus cuts through all human-made distinctions.
• The phrase "kingdom of God" (basileia tou theou) here implies both a present reality (God's rule actively at work now, in which one can participate) and a future consummation. The childlike disposition is essential for experiencing both aspects.
• The command "do not forbid them" (mē kōlyśēte) is present imperative, meaning "stop forbidding" or "do not continue forbidding," suggesting an ongoing action by the disciples that Jesus strongly desires to cease. This underscores the need for continuous welcoming and spiritual humility.

Luke 18 16 Commentary

Luke 18:16 encapsulates a foundational principle of the Kingdom of God: its antithetical nature to worldly values. In a culture where children were seen as having little to offer and were often dismissed, Jesus elevated them to be paradigms of kingdom entry. His direct intervention, contrasting sharply with the disciples' prohibitive actions, reveals His compassion for the vulnerable and His constant re-education of those who would follow Him.

The essence is not about childhood innocence in an inherent moral sense, but about the disposition children typically embody: their simple trust, lack of pretension, utter dependence, and receptive nature. Adults, in contrast, often come burdened with self-importance, perceived achievements, and an unwillingness to relinquish control. The Kingdom is for those who are "poor in spirit," humble, and receptive, akin to a child entirely dependent on a parent. This teaching serves as a stern rebuke to religious arrogance and a warm invitation to humble faith. It mandates active welcome and discourages any barrier erected by human pride or exclusionary practices.

Examples:

• Instead of approaching God with a list of achievements or self-justification, like a child who simply runs to their parent for comfort and provision.
• Trusting Christ's words fully without complex theological caveats, much like a child believes what their parent says.
• Acknowledging utter dependence on God for salvation, unable to earn it, in the way a child fully relies on a caregiver for every need.