Who Is the Most Important Person in the Kingdom?

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus. They asked him, “Then who is the most important person in the kingdom of heaven?”

² Jesus called a little child over to him. He had the child stand among them.

Little Children Are Brought to Jesus

¹³ Some people brought little children to Jesus. They wanted him to place his hands on the children and pray for them. But the disciples told them not to do it.

¹⁴ Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t keep them away. The kingdom of heaven belongs to people like them.” ¹⁵ Jesus placed his hands on them to bless them. Then he went on from there.

Little Children Are Brought to Jesus

¹³ People were bringing little children to Jesus. They wanted him to place his hands on them to bless them. But the disciples told them to stop. ¹⁴ When Jesus saw this, he was angry. He said to his disciples, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t keep them away. God’s kingdom belongs to people like them. ¹⁵ What I’m about to tell you is true. Anyone who will not receive God’s kingdom like a little child will never enter it.”

Little Children Are Brought to Jesus

¹⁵ People were also bringing babies to Jesus. They wanted him to place his hands on the babies. When the disciples saw this, they told the people to stop. ¹⁶ But Jesus asked the children to come to him. “Let the little children come to me,” he said. “Don’t keep them away. God’s kingdom belongs to people like them. ¹⁷ What I’m about to tell you is true. Anyone who will not receive God’s kingdom like a little child will never enter it.”