Mark 10:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Who is Christ? By instructing His followers in humility and the rejection of worldly pride, He welcomes and cherishes the children. Through this, He illustrates that He accepts those who are not evil; thus, He declares, ‘For of such is the kingdom of God.’ It is important to note that He did not phrase it as, ‘The kingdom of God is composed of such children,’ but rather ‘of such as these,’ referring to those who possess the same innocence inherent to children. A child exhibits no envy, does not hold onto past wrongs, and, even when corrected by a parent, does not run away. Instead, he favors his mother above the finest royalty. Similarly, one who lives righteously values their mother, which symbolizes the Church, above all else and is not swayed by earthly desires.

It is always beneficial, particularly from a young age, to welcome those who arrive, as the Apostle commends individuals who have engaged with the Holy Scriptures since their childhood (cf. 2 Tim. 3:15). Additionally, he encourages that children be raised in the teaching and admonition of the Lord (cf. Eph. 6:4).

Even the most heinous offenders, as well as those who have greatly sinned against the Lord, can receive forgiveness if they embrace faith (cf. Acts 10:43). There is no prohibition on baptism or grace for such individuals (cf. Mk. 16:16; 1 Cor. 12:13). Much more so, there should be no barriers for an infant who has just entered the world and has not yet committed any transgression, except that by being born as a descendant of Adam, he has already encountered the ancient consequence of death (cf. Rom. 5:12). This inherited sin is more easily forgiven, as it does not belong to him personally but is that of another. Therefore, dear brother, we have resolved in council not to deny anyone the opportunity for baptism or the grace of God, for the Lord is compassionate, generous, and merciful to all (cf. Acts 2:38-39).

Meanwhile, mothers were approaching Him with their children, seeking His blessing. For reasons unknown, the disciples attempted to prevent them from reaching Him. The Lord intervened and stated that anyone desiring to receive the glory of the kingdom of God must possess a childlike spirit.

Many mothers, believing that God answers the petitions of holy individuals on behalf of others, brought their children to Jesus Christ so that He might bless them. Due to the crowd, not everyone expected to have their wishes fulfilled. However, their deep respect for Christ led them to be content with simply a touch from the Lord upon their children. The disciples of Christ, perhaps thinking this matter trivial, attempted to prevent the mothers from approaching Jesus with their little ones. This unwise action grieved the Lord, prompting His anger towards them. When He later instructed that the children be brought to Him, He did more than just touch them; He laid His hands upon them and embraced them, revealing His compassionate love for the innocent nature of children. He reminded the disciples that these children represent some of the most deserving citizens of God's kingdom and emphasized that adults also must approach this kingdom with the humility and openness of a child.

Jesus listened to the cries of the mothers and the objections of the disciples, responding, "Let the little children come to me, and do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these" (Matthew 19:14). The Kingdom of Heaven is reserved for those who are pure in spirit, like children. This truth was conveyed to the Apostles when they inquired who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven (refer to Mark 9:36-37). He emphasized again that anyone who does not welcome the Kingdom of God as a child will not enter it (Mark 10:15). Do not impede their approach to Me. Child caregivers, let these words be inscribed in your hearts and reflected upon diligently in your service!

The apostles, believing that their actions were necessary for His high ministry, attempted to prevent mothers from bringing their children to Him. However, the Savior quickly corrected their misguided intentions, instructing them: “Let the children come to Me, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Then, He embraced the children and laid His holy hands upon them, demonstrating to the disciples and the people that “whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a child,” meaning with pure innocence and selflessness, “shall not enter therein.” Following the example set by the Savior, the Church established by Him began to welcome children into its community through baptism, without waiting until they reached adulthood.

"Revolted": a characteristic noted solely in Eu. Mark. He felt indignation because the disciples were acting contrary to His approval, engaging in actions He had not commanded, and demonstrating behavior that was inherently unkind. This disappointment was directed towards His disciples, even though their actions may have stemmed from well-meaning intentions.