Receiving The Kingdom Like A Child

Mark 10:13-16 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them

Ancient Jewish society did not regard children with much affection Ancient Jewish society did not regard children with much affection. Children, like women, derived their position in society largely in their relationship to adult males. Childhood was typically regarded as an unavoidable interim between birth and adulthood, which a boy reached at age 13. One will search Jewish literature in vain for sympathy toward the young. - James Edwards

and the disciples rebuked them So far in Mark’s gospel, the word has been used for the expulsion of demons and the order for the storm to stop.

But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant burnt offering, peace offering, sin offering, guilt offering,

Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Not just these particular children, but these and the category to which they belong- i.e. ALL children. burnt offering, peace offering, sin offering, guilt offering,

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; Luke 7:31-32 “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’ burnt offering, peace offering, sin offering, guilt offering,

Deuteronomy 1:39 And as for your little ones, who you said would become a prey, and your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in there. And to them I will give it, and they shall possess it.

Jeremiah 19:4 Because the people have forsaken me and have profaned this place by making offerings in it to other gods whom neither they nor their fathers nor the kings of Judah have known; and because they have filled this place with the blood of innocents burnt offering, peace offering, sin offering, guilt offering,

Who has achieved less morally than a baby Who has achieved less morally than a baby? Who has achieved less religiously than a baby? Who has less law knowledge? Who has less law obedience? Who has less devotion to God? Who has less commitment to the truth than a baby? A baby then becomes a perfect illustration of the non-achieving way in which God saves. – John MacArthur

The passage gives Kingdom citizenship to both children and those who are like children. – John Calvin burnt offering, peace offering, sin offering, guilt offering,