What does Matthew 19:15 mean?

The disciples are not often pictured as challenging anyone who would come to Jesus for any reason. This time, though, they did. They rebuked some people who were bringing children to Jesus to lay His hands on and pray for. We're not told the reason for the rebuke. It may be that the disciples simply did not see the children as significant or they may have been attempting to protect Jesus' time and energy.

Whatever their reason may have been, Jesus quickly overruled them. He insisted that they not stand in the way. Instead they were to let the little children come to Him. He once again used children as an example of the humility and faith required for the kingdom of heaven to belong to His followers. Jesus wasn't holding up children as naturally pure, good, and innocent. Instead, Jesus seemed to be praising their ability to believe and to live in humility because they understood that they had no real power among a world of adults. This was the lesson He gave recently to the disciples, in fact (Matthew 18:3–4).

Now Jesus does exactly as those who brought the children to Him have asked. He lays His hands on the children and likely prays for them. Then Jesus leaves the area.