Mark 10:13-16

¹³ Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

¹⁴ But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

¹⁵ Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

¹⁶ And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Also found in Matthew 19:13-15 and Luke 18:15-17.

brought (v.13) – kept on bringing

It is difficult to resist the attractiveness of [an] older suggestion … which associates the children with the house in v.10. They were brought to Him to say goodnight and receive His blessing before being sent to bed. — Guthrie, page 872.

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that He might touch them (v.13) — The custom of laying on of hands with prayer upon children for the purpose of benediction, finds its archetype in Genesis 48:14-15. Such benedictions, it seems were commonly obtained by parents for their children from the ruler of the synagogue; and here was One greater than any local synagogue-ruler. — Wuest, pages 198-199.

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rebuked (v.13) = to unjustly check or blame another. The rebuke of the disciples was both unwarranted and without result. They kept on rebuking those who brought the children as fast as they came to Jesus. The disciples [probably] discouraged the attempt as idle or, more probably, as derogatory to the Master’s dignity. — Wuest, page 199.

greatly displeased (v.14) = indignant, to feel pain. This is the only place in Scripture where this word is used of Jesus. Paul used the word in 2 Corinthians 7:11 and said that it could be done in a godly manner.

do not forbid (v.14) = stop forbidding

Our Lord here (v.15) holds up a little child as a model of trusting, simple, and loving obedience, for adults to emulate as the way to appropriate the salvation God offers the believing sinner. — Wuest, page 200.

by no means enter (v.15) — In Greek, a double negative is used for emphasis.

blessed them (v.16) = blessed them fervently, again and again.

He blessed them fervently, in no perfunctory way, but with emphasis, as those who were capable of a more unreserved benediction than their elders. Instead of the mere touch for which the friends had asked, He laid His hands on them. … Jesus took each child in His arms, one by one, and blessed it. — Wuest, page 200.