Chapter
Verse

Matthew 19:14

ESV but Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven."
NIV Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
NASB But Jesus said, 'Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them to come to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'
CSB Jesus said, "Leave the children alone, and don’t try to keep them from coming to me, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
NLT But Jesus said, 'Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.'
KJV But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
NKJV But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

What does Matthew 19:14 mean?

Jesus both cares for children and recognizes their value as an example to His disciples. Some have brought children to Jesus so that He can lay hands on them and pray for them. The disciples have rebuked these people, perhaps to protect His time and energy from a request that is not urgent.

Jesus, though, steps in and insists on allowing the little children to come to Him. He tells the disciples not to hinder them because the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like children. It is a tender picture, and Jesus clearly cares for the children. However, He is not saying that the kingdom of heaven belongs to actual little children. Instead, He is reminding the disciples of their need for childlike faith and humility.

This, in fact, is an echo of a teaching Jesus gave to His disciples in the previous chapter: "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3–4).
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