Matthew 19:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Mothers brought their little ones to receive blessings through His touch. However, the women arrived in a chaotic and noisy manner, which led the disciples to prevent their approach. The disciples also believed that allowing children near their Master might diminish His esteemed reputation.

The disciples acted in this way not out of a desire to prevent others from receiving blessings through the words and touch of the Savior, but rather due to their imperfect faith. They believed that He, like any other person, might be fatigued by the monotony of the offerings.

In the Gospel of Luke (Luke 18:15), individuals referred to as infants were brought forward in accordance with their parents' faith. However, the disciples prohibited these offerings, as noted in the Gospel of Mark (Mark 10:13). Their actions may have stemmed from a desire to honor the Lord.

The children were brought to Jesus, yet they faced obstacles. These children symbolize the Gentiles, who receive salvation by faith and through the proclamation of the Gospel. Initially, the disciples tried to prevent the children from coming to Him, as the focus was primarily on saving Israel. Their actions are not solely a reflection of their own intentions but rather illustrate the future mission to the Gentiles. The Lord insists that no one should obstruct the children, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to those like them. Ultimately, the Gentiles would receive grace and the Holy Spirit through the imposition of hands once the law came to an end.

This passage reflects a moment when the Lord imparted teachings on purity and referred to the blessedness of those who are pure in heart. When He acknowledged the glory of chastity with the words, “And there are some who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:12), some individuals present brought their young children—embodiments of innocent purity—before Him. They misinterpreted His praise as solely directed toward those who are physically chaste, overlooking the spiritual purity valued by the Lord. Unbeknownst to them, the Lord did not commend those who are chaste out of mere necessity, but rather those who choose abstinence through virtuous intention.

"Then were the children brought to Him," states St. Matthew, "that He might lay His hands on them and pray." Mothers possessed a unique reverence for Jesus Christ; they were drawn to Him by the divine love reflected in His eyes, evident in every word and action. Unconcerned with the arguments of men, women brought their little ones, including infants, to the Lord so that the Savior could bless them, touch them with His holy hands, and pray for their future joy. However, the disciples rebuked them. The disciples were annoyed that their Master was frequently interrupted by the raucous presence of women and children, disrupting their profound dialogues with Him. They began to discourage mothers from approaching the Savior with their children in their earnest intentions.

Many mothers, believing that God answers the prayers of righteous individuals on behalf of others, brought their children to Jesus Christ so that He might bless them. Due to the large crowd, not everyone held on to hope for their desires to be met. However, their deep reverence for Christ made them content with even a brief touch from the Lord upon their children. The disciples, perhaps thinking that such matters were trivial and unworthy of the Lord's attention, tried to prevent the mothers from approaching Him. This foolish action troubled Jesus deeply, and He became indignant with them.

Immediately after Christ concluded His teaching on marriage and celibacy, mothers with their children made their way through the throng surrounding Him. The disciples tried to prevent their access, but the women persisted in requesting entry so that Jesus might place His hands upon the children and pray for them.

While in Perea, the Savior diligently engaged in acts of compassion, instructing the crowds and sharing insights with His disciples, in keeping with His usual practice. He had visited this region several times prior, gaining recognition as a compassionate Teacher and Prophet, whose words and blessings were held in high regard. His boundless benevolence, in stark contrast to the disdainful attitude of the proud Pharisees and scribes, drew many mothers to Him, who cherished the opportunity to receive His blessing for their children. It was customary for Jewish mothers to seek blessings for their children from rabbis, yet they approached the Savior with unique enthusiasm, fully assured that He would welcome them. The Savior had a deep affection for children, viewing them as exemplars of innocence and purity, representing the hope for the future. On one occasion, large numbers of mothers brought their children to Him with remarkable persistence.

"That He might lay His hands upon them": it was customary among the Jews to place their hands on the heads of individuals when seeking God's blessing for them (Gen. 48:14; Matt. 9:18). They held the prayers of the devout in high esteem, fully aware from their historical narratives of the power these prayers held, and believing that those who received a blessing from the righteous or were favored by their intercessions would find joy (Num. 22:6; Luke 2:28). - "But the disciples forbade them" - "out of reverence for Jesus Christ" (Chrysostom), perhaps assuming that He, preoccupied with significant matters and profound discussions, would be burdened by little ones; or perhaps thinking it inappropriate to divert His attention with such matters.

After discussing the exalted nature of virginity, the Lord demonstrated that both honorable marriage and the blessing of offspring are divinely ordained. At the commencement of His ministry, He consecrated and adorned the wedding in Cana of Galilee with His presence and the first miracle (John 2:2, 11). Now, as His time on earth drew to a close, He manifested Himself as the true Friend and Guardian of vulnerable infancy and unkind youth. News of the arrival of the Savior quickly spread throughout the region, prompting devout mothers to bring their children to the revered Teacher and Miracle Worker. They eagerly approached Him, bringing their little ones for Him to bless, touch, and pray over. However, the disciples, viewing this gathering as inappropriate or perhaps reluctant to distract their Master from His vital mission of preaching, attempted to prevent those who came.