Luke 18:15
What does Luke 18:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 18:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 18:15 means
People began bringing their infants to Jesus, hoping he would touch them, a gesture implying blessing, prayer, or healing. This act shows the faith and hope common people placed in Jesus. However, the disciples, perhaps thinking they were protecting Jesus from trivial interruptions or that children were unimportant, rebuked those who brought them. This reveals a common misconception about who is worthy of Jesus's attention.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they were bringing unto him also their babes, that he should touch them: but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they were bringing unto him also their babes, that he should touch them: but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they took their children to him, so that he might put his hands on them: but when the disciples saw it, they said sharp words to them
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And they were bringing near also the babes, that he may touch them, and the disciples having seen did rebuke them,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they brought unto him also infants, that he might touch them. Which when the disciples saw, they rebuked them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they brought to him also infants that he might touch them, but the disciples when they saw [it] rebuked them.
Context
This event immediately follows the parables on prayer and humility (verses 1-14), providing a practical demonstration of the humility Jesus just taught. The disciples' reaction reflects the very attitude of exclusion that Jesus is about to correct. This narrative transition highlights that the kingdom welcomes the humble and the lowly, reinforcing the lessons from the previous parable.
v.14I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
v.15This passage
v.16But Jesus called them unto him, saying, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 10:13
And they were bringing unto him little children, that he should touch them: and the disciples rebuked them.
- Matthew 19:13
Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should lay his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
- Luke 9:49
And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us.
- Luke 9:54
And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven, and consume them?
- 1 Samuel 1:24
And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of meal, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of Jehovah in Shiloh: and the child was young.
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