Let the Little Children Come · Jesus hugs and blesses the little ones
A Bible story to tell as a family · Mark 10:13–16 · ages 3–10 · 8 min
The story
Jesus was teaching in the region of Judea, near the Jordan River. There were lots of people around him, as always: people asking hard questions, people arguing, people wanting to listen. A little earlier, some Pharisees had come to test him with a tricky question. It was a place full of grown-ups, arguments, and serious matters, the kind of place where children usually hear: go play outside.
And in the middle of all that, some people showed up bringing children. Maybe they were moms and dads, maybe grandparents or older siblings; the text doesn't say. Maybe there were babies in arms, with sleepy, crumpled faces, and bigger kids running ahead. They were bringing the children so that Jesus would touch them, like someone asking for a blessing.
But the disciples didn't like it. They rebuked the people who were bringing the children. You can imagine what they were thinking: not now, the Teacher is busy, this is grown-up business. In those days, children didn't count for much in society. Few people imagined that a famous teacher would spend time with them.
But Jesus saw what was happening. And the text says he was indignant. Jesus got upset, and not with the children: with the disciples! And he told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
Imagine the disciples' faces. And Jesus went even further: “Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” The grown-ups thought the children were the ones who needed to learn from them. Jesus said the grown-ups were the ones who needed to learn from the children.
What is it like to receive something like a child? A child doesn't try to pay for a birthday present. A child doesn't pretend to handle everything alone. A child holds out their hands, trusts, and receives, with shining eyes. That is how you enter the kingdom of God: not by earning it, but by receiving with open arms what God gives.
And then Jesus did much more than they had asked. They had asked only for a touch. He took the children in his arms and blessed them, placing his hands on them. Imagine: one by one, in Jesus' lap. No child was too small, too noisy, or unimportant to him. And none is, even today.
13Now people were bringing the little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, and the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them, and blessed them.
What the Bible says
- v. 13: people were bringing children to Jesus for him to touch them, and the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
- v. 14: Jesus was indignant and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them!”
- v. 16: he took the children in his arms and blessed them, placing his hands on them.
What we learn
This is one of the few times the Gospels say Jesus was indignant, and it was to defend children. This shows that children matter a great deal to God and that no one has the right to keep them away from him or to mistreat them. It also shows how we enter the kingdom: not by merit, effort, or importance, but by receiving like a child, with trust and open hands. And Jesus didn't give just the bare minimum they asked for: he hugged and blessed them.
Questions to talk about
For little ones
- What did Jesus do with the children who came close to him?
- How do you feel knowing that Jesus wants you close to him?
For kids
- Why do you think the disciples tried to send the children away?
- What do you think it means to receive the kingdom of God like a child?
For teens
- Have you ever felt like you weren't taken seriously because you're young? What does this story say about how Jesus sees you?
For adults
- In what situations, even at home or at church, do children end up kept away from Jesus without anyone noticing? What can you change about that?
Activity
Each adult in the house places a hand on a child's head or shoulder and says a short blessing, using the child's name: may God keep you, may you know you are loved. Then switch: the children bless the adults. To finish, draw Jesus with children in his lap and put the drawing near the bed.
To memorize: Mark 10:14
Prayer
Jesus, thank you that you don't send anyone away and that children are important to you. Take each of us in your arms and bless our family. Teach us to receive your love with trust, like children. Amen.