Mark 10:14 kjv
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Mark 10:14 nkjv
But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
Mark 10:14 niv
When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
Mark 10:14 esv
But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.
Mark 10:14 nlt
When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.
Mark 10 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 18:3 | "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children..." | Humility for Kingdom entry. |
| Mt 19:14 | "But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me and do not hinder...'" | Parallel account, reiterates command. |
| Lk 18:16 | "But Jesus called them to Him, saying, 'Let the little children come to...'" | Parallel account, includes infants. |
| Mk 9:36-37 | "And taking a child, he put him in the midst of them... 'Whoever receives..'" | Welcoming children is welcoming Jesus. |
| Lk 9:48 | "Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me... he who is least...'" | Humility as greatness in the Kingdom. |
| Jn 3:3 | "Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." | Spiritual rebirth parallels childlike dependence. |
| Jn 3:5 | "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom..." | Essential entry requirement for Kingdom. |
| Ps 127:3 | "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord..." | God's blessing and value on children. |
| Prov 22:6 | "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will..." | Parental responsibility and importance of youth. |
| Mt 5:3 | "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." | Emptiness and dependence as key to Kingdom. |
| Mt 7:21 | "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of..." | Doing the Father's will for Kingdom entry. |
| Jn 6:37 | "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me..." | Open invitation to come to Jesus. |
| Isa 55:1 | "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money.." | God's invitation freely given to the needy. |
| 1 Cor 1:26-29 | "For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise... not..." | God uses the weak, humble, and foolish. |
| Jas 2:5 | "Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith..." | God exalts the humble and chosen. |
| Phil 2:3 | "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others..." | Humility as a Christ-like attribute. |
| 1 Pet 2:2 | "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk..." | Desire for God's word likened to infant's need. |
| Deut 6:7 | "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them..." | Command to teach the next generation. |
| Mk 9:42 | "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble..." | Grave warning against harming those in Christ. |
| 1 Cor 4:20 | "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power." | Kingdom manifested in divine power. |
| Rom 14:17 | "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of..." | Kingdom is righteousness, peace, joy in Spirit. |
| Lk 6:20 | "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." | Similar Beatitude on poverty of spirit. |
| Mk 10:15 | "Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like..." | Immediate follow-up emphasizing child-likeness. |
| Mt 11:25-26 | "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden..." | Truth revealed to the humble, hidden from wise. |
Mark 10 verses
Mark 10 14 Meaning
Mark 10:14 captures Jesus' profound displeasure when His disciples attempt to prevent parents from bringing children to Him for blessing. He sternly instructs them to "suffer" (allow) the little children to come to Him and not to forbid them, declaring that "of such is the kingdom of God." This verse teaches that entry into God's reign requires a humble, trusting, and dependent spirit akin to that of a child, contrasting with the self-sufficiency, pride, or status-seeking attitudes that might hinder one's approach to Christ. It reveals Jesus' deep care for those often deemed insignificant and establishes a foundational principle for receiving the Gospel.
Mark 10 14 Context
Mark chapter 10 begins with Jesus' teachings on marriage and divorce, challenging conventional human interpretations and affirming God's original, higher design for relationship. Directly following this, the incident with the children demonstrates the Kingdom's values in another vital area: accessibility and the nature of discipleship. While the disciples, likely reflecting societal norms, regarded children as insignificant or an interruption to Jesus' more important work with adults, Jesus saw their complete dependence, openness, and lack of pretense as the very model for entering God's Kingdom. This encounter immediately precedes Jesus' interaction with the rich young ruler and further teachings on the demanding nature of discipleship, self-sacrifice, and humility, contrasting with human aspirations for status or wealth. Historically, children held minimal social standing in ancient cultures; thus, Jesus’ affirmation of them radically elevated their spiritual importance and challenged existing hierarchies.
Mark 10 14 Word analysis
- But when Jesus saw it: (Greek: idōn de ho Iēsous) Jesus perceives the disciples' actions and immediately reacts. This highlights His attentiveness and how He did not miss what was happening, emphasizing the deliberate nature of His teaching.
- he was much displeased: (Greek: ēganaktēsen) This is a strong word indicating indignation, vexation, or anger. It is not merely disapproval but a deep emotional response. Jesus is rarely depicted with such intensity of negative emotion towards His own disciples; it underscores the gravity of their error in hindering access to Him.
- and said unto them: A direct rebuke and instruction aimed at the disciples who were the ones causing the hindrance.
- Suffer: (Greek: aphete) An imperative verb meaning "permit," "allow," "let go." It is a command to cease preventing and to actively allow the children to approach.
- the little children: (Greek: ta paidia) Refers to young children, possibly ranging from infants (as in Luke's parallel brephē) up to early adolescence. The significance is not their literal age but the inherent qualities often associated with them: dependence, trust, humility, openness, lack of pretense, and awareness of their need. They represent a state of complete reliance.
- to come unto me: Emphasizes Jesus as the destination and the source of blessing. He is approachable, and the act of coming signifies drawing near in faith and reception.
- and forbid them not: (Greek: kai mē kōlyete auta) A negative command reinforcing the initial "suffer." It emphasizes actively refraining from hindrance, suggesting the disciples' actions were a genuine barrier.
- for: (Greek: gar) Introduces the reason or justification for the command.
- of such: (Greek: toioutōn) This is crucial. It does not primarily mean "of these very children" in terms of their age or physical presence, but "of such a kind as these." It points to the spiritual qualities embodied by the children.
- is the kingdom of God: Refers to God's rule and reign, both present in the world through Christ and future in its full manifestation. The phrase indicates that these child-like qualities (dependence, humility, trust, receptivity) are prerequisite for, and characteristic of, those who genuinely belong to and enter God's Kingdom. It implies that spiritual arrogance, self-sufficiency, or any attempt to earn one's way are barriers to Kingdom entry.
Mark 10 14 Bonus section
- Jesus' Strong Emotion: The use of ēganaktēsen is a significant marker. It's one of the strongest expressions of displeasure attributed to Jesus in the Gospels, highlighting how profoundly offensive it was to Him to see potential seekers hindered, especially when it involved the innocent and dependent. This emotion underscores the value Jesus places on unhindered access to God's grace.
- Cultural Contrast: In the ancient Greco-Roman world and often within Jewish society of that time, children possessed little standing, legal rights, or public voice. They were often viewed as apprentices, household dependents, or inheritors rather than persons of immediate spiritual significance outside the family unit. Jesus' act of blessing them, inviting them to Himself, and holding them up as a paradigm for Kingdom entry, was counter-cultural and revolutionary, revealing the true values of God's reign that subvert human hierarchies.
- The Nature of Receiving: The passage emphasizes that entering the Kingdom is a matter of "receiving" it, like a gift, with humble acceptance rather than by striving or earning. Children illustrate this receptive attitude perfectly.
Mark 10 14 Commentary
Mark 10:14 reveals a pivotal Kingdom principle directly from the Lord Jesus. The disciples, reflecting typical societal values and perhaps a misunderstanding of Jesus’ ministry, sought to manage access to Him, deeming children as unimportant distractions. Jesus’ "displeasure" indicates the seriousness of their misconception. He was not merely annoyed but genuinely indignant that spiritual access was being blocked. His command, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not," overturns human prejudice and prioritizes genuine, humble seeking over perceived status or self-importance. The powerful declaration, "for of such is the kingdom of God," clarifies that the Kingdom is not for the proud, the self-sufficient, or those who believe they must achieve righteousness through their own merit. Rather, it belongs to those who, like children, recognize their absolute dependence, approach God with simple faith, teachability, and without pretense. This applies not only to actual children but to anyone who adopts such a posture of humility and trust before God. It challenges any human system that erects barriers to divine access based on social status, wisdom, wealth, or perceived righteousness, affirming God's accessibility to the "least" among us who embrace a childlike spirit.