Jesus Blesses Little Children^(A)

^13 (B)Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.

Jesus Blesses Little Children^(A)

^13 (B)Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. ¹⁴ 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 ^(C)of such is the kingdom of God. ¹⁵ Assuredly, I say to you, ^(D)whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will ^(E)by no means enter it.” ¹⁶ And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Jesus Blesses Little Children^(A)

^15 (B)Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. ¹⁶ But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for ^(C)of such is the kingdom of God. ^17 (D)Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

² Then Jesus called a little ^(A)child to Him, set him in the midst of them, ³ and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, ^(B)unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. ^4 (C)Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ^5 (D)Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

³⁹ For the promise is to you and ^(A)to your children, and ^(B)to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise ^(A)your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.

⁵⁴ And when His disciples ^(A)James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, ^[a]just as ^(B)Elijah did?”

⁵⁵ But He turned and rebuked them, ^[b]and said, “You do not know what manner of ^(C)spirit you are of.

Jesus Forbids Sectarianism^(A)

^49 (B)Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.”

⁵⁰ But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for ^(C)he who is not against ^[a]us is on ^[b]our side.”

³¹ Then the multitude ^(A)warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!”