Luke 18:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

However, the blessed disciples objected to this—not out of envy for the children, but because they held Him in high regard as their teacher, aimed to prevent unnecessary effort, and placed great significance on maintaining order. Even today, Christ continues to bless infants through consecrated hands, and this practice endures as a legacy of His actions. While the approach of infants is now conducted in a manner that reflects proper decorum and reverence, it is rooted in the example set by Christ.

However, true virtue lies not in ignorance of these matters but in a disdain for them. There is no merit in self-control where righteousness is merely upheld through weakness. Therefore, the message is not to exhibit childishness, but to embody a gentleness that reflects childlike simplicity. See 1 Cor. 14:20. Virtue is rooted not in an inability to sin, but in a deliberate choice to abstain from sin, maintaining steadfastness in one’s intention. The disposition reflects a childhood state while habit mirrors nature. The Savior expressed this in saying, “Unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 18:3).

Who is this child that the apostles of Christ should emulate? Is it merely an infant? Is this the standard of the apostles? Who is this child? Is it not the One referenced by Isaiah: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given” (Isaiah 9:6)? This Child is the one who commanded, “Take up your cross and follow Me.” See Mk. 8:34; Mt. 16:24; Lk. 9:23. To help you recognize Him as a child, He, despite being reviled, did not return insults; when struck, He did not retaliate (1 Pet. 2:23)—for therein lies perfect virtue. Hence, in childhood, there exists a noble maturity in conduct, and in old age, an innocent youthfulness: honest elderliness is not measured by years, but by wisdom, which is the gray hair of men, while a blameless life defines true agedness (Prem. 4:8-9). Therefore, it is declared, “Praise, ye young men, praise the name of the Lord” (Ps. 112:1); for only the perfect offer praise to the Lord, as no one can declare Jesus as Lord except by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:3).

This prophecy pertains to the church, which, despite being younger, surpassed the elders of the Jews. It is stated, “Behold, I and the children whom You have given Me” (Is. 8:18; Heb. 2:13). In the Septuagint, “whom God has given me.” Cf.: exp. Luc. 6:11. These children, through prophetic utterances, accompanied the Lord as He rode on a donkey, proclaiming the arrival of salvation for the nations; they are the infants who thirsted for Christ more ardently than for wine. See Songs 7:9; 1:3. “Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have established strength” (Ps. 8:3; Matt. 21:16).

Some may view the apostles’ refusal to let children approach the Lord as harsh and unmerciful, unless they grasp the deeper meaning. The apostles did not show disdain for children but were honoring the Lord through careful service, ensuring that He was not overwhelmed by crowds, as noted elsewhere, “Teacher, the crowds are pressing in on You” (Luke 8:45). Therefore, we must set aside our preferences when they cause offense to the divine. Let us shun pride and embrace childlike simplicity, for truth stands opposed to pride, and humility fosters truth by elevating itself with modesty. God dwells not in a heart filled with malice; the prophets have taught us that “High is the throne of virtue” (Jeremiah 17:12)—in the one whose wisdom ascends to the heights of truth. One must not, like Cain, disguise murderous deceit beneath the facade of brotherhood, but be a true brother both outwardly and inwardly. This is all connected to the internal understanding. Yet, the apostles desired first for the Jewish nation, their fleshly kin, to be saved while also seeking the Canaanite woman’s plea. See Matthew 15:23. They understood the mystery of the calling of both peoples, but perhaps they were still unaware of the order in which this calling would take place.

Now observe the distinction in the terms used. When the Lord commands the infants to come to Him, See: Luke 18:16. He refers to them as children when He blesses them, whether through preaching or by the laying on of hands; however, when He instructs them not to be enticed, He designates them as “little ones.” See: Mk. 9:42. For those whom Christ touches are not led astray, and whoever approaches Christ does not stumble; it is those who fall who are made small, not through their age, but through a scarcity of virtue. Simultaneously, He teaches that we must not tempt these little ones, lest the supplications of those whose virtues may be lacking are raised to the Lord with angelic assistance. Let no one scorn the needy, for this offends the Creator (Proverbs 17:5)! Let no one entice the weak, lest they anger the angels! Let no one cause the feeble to falter, so that the grace of the Redeemer is not rendered in vain!

The Lord not only touched and laid His hands upon them but also held them close, bestowing His blessing and demonstrating His profound affection for the pure and innocent nature of children. He then reiterated to the disciples that such children are among the most esteemed members of the kingdom of God, emphasizing that adults, too, will enter this kingdom only if they receive it with the heart of a child.

Jewish mothers typically sought blessings for their children from the rabbis, but they approached the Saviour with a unique eagerness, fully assured that He would welcome them. The Saviour held a deep affection for children, regarding them as embodiments of innocence and purity, as well as the promise of the future. On one occasion, many mothers persistently brought their children to Him. The apostles, believing this disrupted His sacred ministry, began to prevent mothers with children from approaching Him; however, the Saviour quickly rebuked their unwarranted actions, stating, ‘Let the children come to Me, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.'