SEV Biblia, Chapter 19:13
¶ Entonces le fueron presentados unos nios, para que pusiese las manos sobre ellos, y orase; y los discípulos les rieron.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 19:13
Verse 13. Then were there brought unto him little children] These are termed by Luke, Luke xviii. 15, ta brefh, 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 x. 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.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 13. Then were there brought unto him little children , etc.] 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 Mark 5:39,42 2 Timothy 3:15) 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, 17:16) ( 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 Luke 18:15) 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 48:14-16) 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 f1034 : 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.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 13-15 - It is well when we come to Christ ourselves, and bring our children Little children may be brought to Christ as needing, and being capabl of receiving blessings from him, and having an interest in his intercession. We can but beg a blessing for them: Christ only can command the blessing. It is well for us, that Christ has more love an tenderness in him than the best of his disciples have. And let us lear of him not to discountenance any willing, well-meaning souls, in their seeking after Christ, though they are but weak. Those who are given to Christ, as part of his purchase, he will in no wise cast out. Therefor he takes it ill of all who forbid, and try to shut out those whom he has received. And all Christians should bring their children to the Saviour that he may bless them with spiritual blessings.
Greek Textus Receptus
τοτε 5119 ADV προσηνεχθη 4374 5681 V-API-3S αυτω 846 P-DSM παιδια 3813 N-NPN ινα 2443 CONJ τας 3588 T-APF χειρας 5495 N-APF επιθη 2007 5632 V-2AAS-3S αυτοις 846 P-DPN και 2532 CONJ προσευξηται 4336 5667 V-ADS-3S οι 3588 T-NPM δε 1161 CONJ μαθηται 3101 N-NPM επετιμησαν 2008 5656 V-AAI-3P αυτοις 846 P-DPM
Robertson's NT Word Studies
19:13 {Rebuked them} (epetimesen autois). No doubt people did often crowd around Jesus for a touch of his hand and his blessing. The disciples probably felt that they were doing Jesus a kindness. How little they understood children and Jesus. It is a tragedy to make children feel that they are in the way at home and at church. These men were the twelve apostles and yet had no vision of Christ's love for little children. The new child world of today is due directly to Jesus.
