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Read the Bible

George Lamsa Translation

Matthew 19:13

Then they brought little boys to him, that he may lay his hand on them and pray; and his disciples rebuked them.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Bigotry;   Children;   Hand;   Jesus, the Christ;   Jesus Continued;   Minister, Christian;   Presumption;   Thompson Chain Reference - Defender of the Weak;   Weak;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Parents;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Baptism;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Abortion;   Laying on of Hands;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Baptism ;   Hutchinsonians;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Child;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Baptism;   Elisha;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Accountability, Age of;   Laying on of Hands;   Matthew, the Gospel of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Confirmation;   Laying on of Hands;   Text of the New Testament;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Attributes of Christ;   Beauty;   Benediction;   Children;   Complacency;   Discourse;   Gentleness (2);   Silence;   Womanliness;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Baptism;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Child;   Hand;   Hands;   Laying on of;   Prayers of Jesus;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Hand;  

Devotionals:

- Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life - Devotion for May 20;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Then children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.
King James Version (1611)
Then were there brought vnto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
King James Version
Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
English Standard Version
Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people,
New American Standard Bible
Then some children were brought to Him so that He would lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.
New Century Version
Then the people brought their little children to Jesus so he could put his hands on them and pray for them. His followers told them to stop,
Amplified Bible
Then children were brought to Jesus so that He might place His hands on them [for a blessing] and pray; but the disciples reprimanded them.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then were brought to him litle children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.
Legacy Standard Bible
Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.
Berean Standard Bible
Then the little children were brought to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them and pray for them. And the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
Contemporary English Version
Some people brought their children to Jesus, so that he could place his hands on them and pray for them. His disciples told the people to stop bothering him.
Complete Jewish Bible
Then children were brought to him so that he might lay his hands on them and pray for them, but the talmidim rebuked the people bringing them.
Darby Translation
Then there were brought to him little children that he might lay his hands on them and pray; but the disciples rebuked them.
Easy-to-Read Version
Then the people brought their little children to Jesus so that he could lay his hands on them to bless them and pray for them. When the followers saw this, they told the people to stop bringing their children to him.
Good News Translation
Some people brought children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and to pray for them, but the disciples scolded the people.
Lexham English Bible
Then children were brought to him so that he could lay his hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.
Literal Translation
Then little children were brought to Him, that He might lay hands on them and might pray. But the disciples rebuked them.
American Standard Version
Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should lay his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
Bible in Basic English
Then some people took little children to him, so that he might put his hands on them in blessing: and the disciples said sharp words to them.
Hebrew Names Version
Then little children were brought to him, that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the talmidim rebuked them.
International Standard Version
Then some little children were brought to him so that he might lay his hands on them and pray. But the disciples rebuked those who broughtthose who brought">[fn] them.Mark 10:13; Luke 18:15;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
Then they brought to him children, that he should put his hand upon them and pray. And his disciples forbad them.
Murdock Translation
Then they brought children to him, that he might lay his hand upon them and pray. And his disciples rebuked them.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Then were there brought vnto hym young chyldren, that he shoulde put his handes on them, and pray: And the disciples rebuked them.
English Revised Version
Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should lay his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
World English Bible
Then little children were brought to him, that he should lay his hands on them, and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Then were brought to him little children, that he should lay his hands on them and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
Weymouth's New Testament
Then young children were brought to Him for Him to put His hands on them and pray; but the disciples interfered.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Thanne litle children weren brouyte to hym, that he schulde putte hondis to hem, and preie.
Update Bible Version
Then there were brought to him little children, that he should lay his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
Webster's Bible Translation
Then were brought to him little children, that he should put [his] hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
New English Translation
Then little children were brought to him for him to lay his hands on them and pray. But the disciples scolded those who brought them.
New King James Version
Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17">[xr] Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.
New Living Translation
One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.
New Life Bible
Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray for them. The followers spoke sharp words to them.
New Revised Standard
Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them;
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then, wore brought unto him children, - that he might lay his hands upon them, and pray. And, the disciples, rebuked them.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then were little children presented to him, that he should impose hands upon them and pray. And the disciples rebuked them.
Revised Standard Version
Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people;
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Then were brought to him yonge chyldre that he shuld put his hondes on them and praye And the disciples rebuked them.
Young's Literal Translation
Then were brought near to him children that he might put hands on them and pray, and the disciples rebuked them.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Then were brought vnto him yoge children, yt he shulde put his hondes vpon the, & praye. And ye disciples rebuked them.
Mace New Testament (1729)
Then they brought children to him in order to have his blessing: and the disciples rebuked them.
THE MESSAGE
One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: "Let the children alone, don't prevent them from coming to me. God's kingdom is made up of people like these." After laying hands on them, he left.
Simplified Cowboy Version
Then all the little kiddos gathered around Jesus so he could pray for 'em. But as soon as they got close, Jesus's cowboys started tellin' 'em to stand back.

Contextual Overview

13 Then they brought little boys to him, that he may lay his hand on them and pray; and his disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said to them, Allow the little boys to come to me, and do not stop them; for the kingdom of heaven is for such as these. 15 And he laid his hand on them, and went away from thence.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

brought: Matthew 18:2-5, Genesis 48:1, Genesis 48:9-20, 1 Samuel 1:24, Psalms 115:14, Psalms 115:15, Jeremiah 32:39, Mark 10:13, Luke 18:15, Acts 2:39, 1 Corinthians 7:14

and the: Matthew 16:22, Matthew 20:31, Luke 9:49, Luke 9:50, Luke 9:54, Luke 9:55

Reciprocal: Genesis 48:14 - and laid Mark 10:48 - many Luke 9:47 - took Acts 9:17 - and putting

Cross-References

Genesis 13:13
Now the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners in the presence of the LORD exceedingly.
Genesis 18:20
And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah has come before me and their sins are very grievous,
Genesis 19:1
AND there came two angels to Sodom in the evening; and Lot was sitting at the gate of Sodom; and Lot saw them and rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
Genesis 19:5
And they called to Lot and said to him, Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them.
Genesis 19:6
And Lot went out at the door to them; and he shut the door after him.
Genesis 19:8
Behold now, I have two daughters who have, not known man; let me bring them out to you, and do to them whatever you please; only to these men do nothing; for they have come under the protection of my roof.
Genesis 19:9
And they said, Get away. And they said again, This fellow came to sojourn among us, and now he tries to judge us; and they said to Lot, Now we will deal worse with you than with them. Then Lot fought desperately with them, and they drew near to break the door.
Genesis 19:12
And the men said to Lot, What are you doing in this place? Now, your sons-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whatsoever you have in this city, take them out of this place;
Genesis 19:15
And when the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are not given in marriage, lest you be engulfed in the sins of the city.
Genesis 19:16
But Lot lingered; then the angels held his hand, the hand of his wife, and the hands of his two daughters, because the LORD pitied him; and they took him out and set him outside the city.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then were there brought unto him little children,.... It does not appear that they were new born babes; the words used by either of the evangelists do not always signify such, but are sometimes used of such as are capable of going alone; yea, of receiving instructions, of understanding the Scriptures, and even of one of twelve years of age, Matthew 18:2 nor is it probable that infants just born, or within a month, should be had abroad. Moreover, these were such as Christ called unto him,

Luke 18:16 and were capable of coming to him of themselves, as his words following suppose; nor does their being brought to him, or his taking them in his arms, contradict this; since the same things are said of such as could walk of themselves, Matthew 12:22 Mark 9:36. Nor is it known whose children they were, whether their parents were believers or unbelievers, nor by whom they were brought: but the end for which they were brought is expressed,

that he should put his hands on them, and pray; not that he should baptize them, nor did he; which may be concluded from the entire silence of all the evangelists; and from an express declaration that Christ baptized none; and from the mention of other ends for which they were brought, as that Christ should "touch" them,

Mark 10:13 as he sometimes used to do persons, when he healed them of diseases; and probably some of those infants, if not all of them, were diseased, and brought to be cured; otherwise, it is not easy to conceive what they should be touched by him for: or as here, that he might put his hands on them, and pray over them, and bless them, as was usual with the Jews to do; see Genesis 48:14 and it was common with them to bring their children to venerable persons, men of note for religion and piety, to have their blessing and prayers y:

and the disciples rebuked them; not the children, as the Persic version reads, but those that brought them, Mark observes; either because they came in a rude and disorderly manner, and were very noisy and clamorous; or they might think it would be too troublesome to Christ, to go through such a ceremony with so many of them; or that it was too mean for him, and below him to take notice of them; or for fear he should take fresh occasion, on the sight of these children, to rebuke them again for their pride and ambition. However, from this rebuke and prohibition of the disciples, it looks plainly as if it had never been the practice of the Jews, nor of John the Baptist, nor of Christ and his disciples, to baptize infants; for had this been then in use, they would scarcely have forbid and rebuked those that brought them, since they might have thought they brought them to be baptized; but knowing of no such usage that ever obtained in that nation, neither among those that did, or did not believe in Christ, they forbad them.

y Massechet Sopherim, c. 18. sect. 5. see the note on Luke ii. 42.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Then were brought little children - See also Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17. Probably these were brought by some of his followers, who desired not only to devote themselves to Jesus, but all that they had - their children as well as themselves. All the Jews were accustomed to devote their children to God by circumcision. It was natural, therefore, under the new dispensation, that it should be done. Luke says they were infants. They were undoubtedly those who were not old enough to come by choice, but their coming was an act of the parents.

Put his hands on them and pray - It was customary among the Jews, when blessings were sought for others in prayer, to lay the hands on the head of the person prayed for, implying a kind of consecration to God. See Genesis 48:14; Matthew 9:18. They had also much confidence in the prayers of pious men, believing that those blessed by a saint or a prophet would be happy. See Numbers 22:6; Luke 2:28.

The disciples rebuked them - That is, reproved them, or told them it was improper. This they did, probably, either:

1.Because they thought that they were too young; or,

2.Because they thought that they would be troublesome to their Master.



Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Matthew 19:13. Then were there brought unto him little children — These are termed by Luke, Luke 18:15, τα βρεφη, infants, very young children; and it was on this account, probably, that the disciples rebuked the parents, thinking them too young to receive good. See on Mark 10:16.

That he should put his hands — It was a common custom among the Jews to lay their hands on the heads of those whom they blessed, or for whom they prayed. This seems to have been done by way of dedication or consecration to God - the person being considered as the sacred property of God ever after. Often God added a testimony of his approbation, by communicating some extraordinary influence of the Holy Spirit. This rite has been long practised among Christians, when persons are appointed to any sacred office. But this consecration of children to God seems to have grown out of use. It is no wonder that the great mass of children are so wicked, when so few, are put under the care of Christ by humble, praying, believing parents. Let every parent that fears God bring up his children in that fear; and, by baptism, let each be dedicated to the holy trinity. Whatever is solemnly consecrated to God abides under his protection and blessing.


 
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