Mark 10 15

Mark 10:15 kjv

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Mark 10:15 nkjv

Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."

Mark 10:15 niv

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

Mark 10:15 esv

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."

Mark 10:15 nlt

I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it."

Mark 10 verses

Mark 10 15 Meaning

Mark 10:15 proclaims a foundational principle for entry into God's reign. Jesus asserts with utmost authority that anyone who does not welcome and accept the kingdom of God with the dependent and humble posture of a child will be utterly barred from it. This emphasizes not an intellectual understanding, but a profound disposition of humility, trust, and unreserved receptivity, in contrast to the self-sufficient pride of adults.

Mark 10 15 Context

Mark 10:15 stands as a profound pronouncement within Jesus' journey toward Jerusalem and His eventual passion. Immediately preceding this verse, disciples, likely displaying their own hierarchical mindsets, were rebuking those who brought young children to Jesus for a blessing (Mk 10:13-14). Jesus, described as "indignant," directly corrects them by declaring the children as emblematic of the disposition necessary for God's kingdom. This scene is often contrasted with the following encounter with the rich young ruler (Mk 10:17-31), who struggled to receive the kingdom due to his attachment to possessions and self-righteousness, embodying the adult striving and status consciousness Jesus warned against. Historically and culturally, children in the ancient world held little social standing and possessed no rights or recognized contributions, being entirely dependent. Jesus elevates their dependent status into a paradigm for spiritual entry. This teaching directly challenges contemporary beliefs that might have equated religious piety or status with readiness for God's favor.

Mark 10 15 Word analysis

• Truly (ἀμὴν - amēn): A solemn affirmation, often translated as "Amen" or "Verily." When Jesus uses this, it signifies profound truth, emphasis, and His divine authority, making a definitive statement about reality in God's eyes. It commands immediate attention to a weighty truth.
• I say to you (λέγω ὑμῖν - legō hymin): This phrase underscores Jesus' authority as a teacher and prophet, directly delivering divine truth. It implies a definitive, binding declaration.
• whoever (ὃς ἐὰν - hos ean): An indefinite pronoun emphasizing the universality of the statement. This condition applies to every single individual, without exception, regardless of their social status, religious background, or perceived merit.
• does not receive (μὴ δέξηται - mē dexētai): The negative "μὴ" with the aorist subjunctive "δέξηται" indicates a strong prohibition against not welcoming or accepting. "Δέχομαι" implies actively welcoming, accepting, taking in, or receiving something as a gift without objection or precondition, in contrast to earning or grasping.
• the kingdom of God (τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ θεοῦ - tēn basileian tou theou): The central theme of Jesus' teaching, referring to God's active reign and sovereign rule, which is both present in the person and work of Jesus and future in its full consummation. To "receive" it is to submit to His reign and become part of His spiritual dominion.
• like a child (ὡς παιδίον - hōs paidion): This is the crucial metaphor. A "παιδίον" (paidion) refers to a young child, an infant, or a very young dependent one. The comparison is not to childishness (immaturity, foolishness) but to characteristics inherent in a child's natural state of total dependence, trust, unreserved openness, lack of pretense, humility, absence of self-reliance, and utter helplessness. Children have no social status or personal claims and are completely reliant on their parents.
• will never enter it (οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθῃ εἰς αὐτήν - ou mē eiselthē eis autēn): The strong double negative "οὐ μὴ" conveys absolute impossibility. It is the strongest negative construction in Greek, emphasizing that entry into the kingdom is utterly conditional upon having the child-like disposition. There is no other way, no other entrance. "Εἰσέλθῃ" (eiselthē) means to go in or enter, signifying active participation and belonging within the sphere of God's rule and blessing.

• "Truly, I say to you, whoever": Establishes the supreme authority and universal application of Jesus' teaching. This is a non-negotiable spiritual truth for all humanity.
• "does not receive the kingdom of God": Highlights the active, volitional choice involved in accepting God's divine reign, implying an attitude of welcoming and embracing rather than conquering or earning.
• "like a child will never enter it": The heart of the teaching, defining the disposition for salvation and emphasizing the absolute necessity of a humble, dependent, and trusting spirit mirroring a young child's relation to their parents. This profound paradox inverts worldly values.

Mark 10 15 Bonus section

The immediate precursor to this verse, Jesus' indignation (Mk 10:14) at His disciples' hindering children, underscores the depth of His passion for humility and openness. His blessing of the children, by laying hands on them, not only models His love for them but implicitly suggests they are already embodying the kingdom's characteristics. The stark contrast between the humble child as the model for kingdom entry and the ensuing account of the rich young ruler's inability to forsake his worldly attachments serves as a powerful didactic juxtaposition within Mark's narrative. The children are not merely an analogy, but real examples of those for whom the kingdom is perfectly accessible due to their natural state of receptivity and helplessness, providing a living paradigm for true discipleship. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical theme of God choosing the weak and humble to shame the strong and proud (1 Cor 1:27).

Mark 10 15 Commentary

Mark 10:15 reveals a radical spiritual truth about the kingdom of God: it is not earned by merit, wisdom, or religious achievement, but received by simple, unadorned trust and utter dependence. Jesus' stern declaration contrasts with the common human inclination toward self-sufficiency and status. To "receive the kingdom of God like a child" means shedding all adult pretensions, self-reliance, and pride. It means coming before God with humility, a willingness to be taught, an open heart free from agendas, and a complete reliance on His grace, much as a child utterly depends on its parent for everything. Without this spirit, entry into the blessings and dominion of God's reign is fundamentally impossible. It is a call to a complete inversion of worldly wisdom, advocating for utter humility as the only gate to true life in God.

Examples:

• A seasoned scholar letting go of intellectual pride to accept basic gospel truths.
• A person with a prestigious career embracing spiritual brokenness and dependence on Christ.
• Someone surrendering control and self-reliance to simply trust in God's provision.