Mark 10:13 kjv
And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
Mark 10:13 nkjv
Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
Mark 10:13 niv
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them.
Mark 10:13 esv
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.
Mark 10:13 nlt
One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.
Mark 10 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mk 10:14 | But when Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them... | Jesus' strong rebuke of His disciples for their actions. |
| Mk 10:15 | "Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God... | Emphasizes the childlike reception needed for the Kingdom. |
| Mk 10:16 | And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. | Jesus’ compassionate action, contrasting with the disciples’ coldness. |
| Mt 19:13 | Then children were brought to Him that He might lay His hands... | Parallel account in Matthew, same scenario. |
| Mt 19:14 | But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder..." | Parallel in Matthew, Jesus explicitly commanding permission. |
| Lk 18:15 | Now they were bringing even infants to Him that He might touch... | Parallel in Luke, specifically mentioning "infants" (βρέφη). |
| Lk 18:16 | But Jesus called them to Him, saying, "Let the children come to Me..." | Parallel in Luke, Jesus calling children and not hindering. |
| Mt 18:3 | "Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children..." | Teaches that humility like a child is necessary for the Kingdom. |
| Lk 9:48 | "...for he who is least among you all, this is the one who is great." | Connects greatness in the Kingdom with humility, illustrated by a child. |
| Gen 48:14 | But Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on the head... | Biblical precedent for patriarchs laying hands on children for blessing. |
| Num 27:18 | So the Lord said to Moses, "Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man... | Laying on of hands for spiritual endowment or appointment. |
| Deut 34:9 | Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for... | Moses laying hands on Joshua transfers spiritual authority/wisdom. |
| Ps 8:2 | Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have established... | Praises God using the simple, unpretentious witness of children. |
| Prov 22:6 | Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old... | Underscores the importance of children in divine wisdom. |
| Isa 42:3 | A bruised reed He will not break and a dimly burning wick He will not... | Highlights Jesus' gentle compassion towards the vulnerable and weak. |
| Mt 11:25 | "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden... | God's revelation to "babes" and the simple, rather than the wise. |
| 1 Cor 1:27-28 | but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise... | God chooses what is despised by the world, analogous to children's status. |
| Mk 9:38 | John said to Him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your..." | Disciples trying to control who acts in Jesus' name, similar to hindering children. |
| Mk 10:48 | And many were sternly telling him to be silent; but he kept crying out... | Disciples again hindering someone (blind man) from reaching Jesus. |
| Mk 9:34 | For on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the... | Disciples focused on status and greatness, contrasting with Jesus' lesson on humility. |
| Jas 1:27 | Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this... | Caring for orphans and widows as a core aspect of true faith. |
| Phil 2:3 | Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind... | Emphasizes putting others, especially the humble, first. |
| 1 Pet 2:2 | like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it... | Spiritual growth described with childlike desire for pure nourishment. |
Mark 10 verses
Mark 10 13 Meaning
In Mark 10:13, people were continuously bringing young children to Jesus with the desire for Him to lay hands on them, implying a request for His blessing or perhaps healing. However, Jesus' own disciples sternly reprimanded those who brought the children, likely perceiving them as a disturbance or deeming them insignificant to Jesus' important ministry. This verse sets the scene for a pivotal lesson about the true nature of God's Kingdom and who truly belongs within it.
Mark 10 13 Context
Mark 10:13 is part of a series of teachings by Jesus on the nature of discipleship and entry into the Kingdom of God, immediately following His discussion on divorce (Mark 10:1-12) and preceding encounters with the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-27) and the request of James and John (Mark 10:35-45). This entire section highlights the radical demands and reversals of societal values inherent in following Jesus and receiving His Kingdom. Historically, children held a lower social status in both Jewish and Greco-Roman societies; they were often seen as property or insignificant until adulthood. This background amplifies the significance of Jesus' actions in the following verses, as He challenges this conventional view by making children paradigms for Kingdom reception. The setting is likely in Perea, on Jesus' final journey towards Jerusalem, where He consistently instructs His disciples, often correcting their worldly perspectives.
Mark 10 13 Word analysis
- And they were bringing (Καὶ προσέφερον - Kai prosepheron): The imperfect tense "were bringing" indicates a continuous or repeated action, suggesting a persistent effort on the part of the people. It implies an ongoing stream of individuals approaching Jesus with their children.
- children (παιδία - paidia): This Greek term refers to young children, including infants or toddlers, not older adolescents. It highlights their complete dependence, vulnerability, and lack of social standing or power in the cultural context of the time.
- to Him (αὐτῷ - autō): Emphasizes direct access and reliance on Jesus alone. The people recognized Jesus' unique authority and power to bless.
- that He might touch them (ἵνα ἅψηται αὐτῶν - hina hapsētai autōn): "Touch" (ἅψηται - hapsētai) denotes a purposeful laying on of hands, not just accidental contact. This was a common practice for blessing, praying for, or occasionally healing in both Old Testament and Jewish traditions. The request reveals faith in Jesus’ power.
- but the disciples (οἱ δὲ μαθηταὶ - hoi de mathētai): The conjunction "but" (δὲ - de) introduces a sharp contrast between the desire of the people and the reaction of Jesus' closest followers.
- rebuked (ἐπετίμων - epetimōn): Also an imperfect tense, "were rebuking" or "kept on rebuking." This strong verb implies stern disapproval, sharp reprimand, or censure. It indicates the disciples were actively trying to stop the people from bringing their children, considering them a nuisance or unworthy of Jesus' attention.
- those who brought them (τοῖς προσφέρουσιν - tois prospherousin): The disciples directly addressed and admonished the adults who were facilitating the children's approach to Jesus, demonstrating their active hindrance.
- "And they were bringing children...that He might touch them": This phrase portrays an image of faith, earnest desire, and the seeking of divine grace. The parents (or guardians) clearly believed in Jesus' benevolent power and unique authority, desiring a personal, tangible blessing for their little ones, a profound act of simple trust. They transcended the societal norms that minimized children's importance.
- "but the disciples rebuked those who brought them": This highlights the disciples' misunderstanding of Jesus' ministry, the nature of the Kingdom, and perhaps a manifestation of their own worldly biases concerning status and significance. They saw the children as a distraction or impediment to Jesus' "more important" work (e.g., teaching adults, healing serious ailments), acting as unintentional gatekeepers to divine access based on human perception and societal status. Their action reflects a common human tendency to judge who is "worthy" of God's presence or time.
Mark 10 13 Bonus section
This incident, immediately following a complex teaching on divorce, emphasizes that the Kingdom of God is accessible not through human legalism, social standing, or even marital status, but through a heart of dependent humility. The repeated imperfect tense of "bringing" and "rebuking" highlights the continuous nature of both the people's earnest efforts and the disciples' misguided interference, indicating a persistent tension between grace and human barriers. This also serves as an internal critique within the Markan narrative against those within the Christian community who might impose unnecessary restrictions or judgments on who is truly welcomed by Christ. The disciples’ consistent pattern of misunderstanding and failing to live up to Jesus' radical teachings, which recurs throughout Mark's Gospel, adds depth to this narrative as a continuous process of their learning, sometimes through error.
Mark 10 13 Commentary
Mark 10:13 serves as a striking moment of tension where human perception clashes with divine truth. The actions of the parents, diligently bringing their most vulnerable loved ones to Jesus for a blessing, stand in stark contrast to the disciples' protective yet misguided efforts to deter them. The disciples, despite being privy to Jesus' teachings and miracles, still operate under worldly paradigms, viewing children as insignificant distractions. They attempt to manage Jesus' time and protect His dignity based on conventional societal values that marginalize the weak and unassuming. This scene is pivotal because Jesus' subsequent response (Mark 10:14-16) unequivocally rejects their elitism and firmly establishes humility, vulnerability, and simple trust – qualities inherent in children – as the prerequisites for entering the Kingdom of God. The incident underscores that true spiritual access and greatness are not about status, knowledge, or age, but about open-hearted, dependent faith, which the disciples repeatedly struggled to grasp.