And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
LUKE 18:15KJVWhat does Luke 18:15 mean?
Luke 18:15 describes people bringing even very young children—infants—to Jesus so that he would touch them, but Jesus’s disciples tried to stop them and told them not to do this. The verse highlights both the eagerness of the people to have Jesus bless their children and the disciples’ misunderstanding of Jesus’s attitude toward children.
In this scene, people are approaching Jesus, likely hoping for a blessing or healing by his touch, which was a common practice for respected teachers or healers. The disciples, acting as gatekeepers, see this as an interruption or distraction and try to prevent it. This sets up a moment where Jesus’s response will correct their thinking about who is welcome in his presence.
The Greek behind Luke 18:15
- The word for "infants" is βρέφη (brephē), which specifically means babies or very young children, not just older kids. This emphasizes how young and dependent these children are, making the disciples’ reaction even more striking.
- The verb "rebuked" is ἐπετίμησαν (epetimēsan), which means to strongly warn or scold. The disciples are not just gently turning people away; they are actively telling them off, showing how firmly they believe children should not bother Jesus.
Why Luke 18:15 matters
- Luke 18:15 shows that Jesus’s attention is not limited to adults or those considered important by society; even the youngest and most vulnerable are brought to him.
- The disciples’ attempt to stop the children reveals a common attitude of the time, where children were not seen as significant, and sets the stage for Jesus to teach a different perspective.
- This verse prepares the reader for Jesus’s following words, where he will use the situation to make a point about the nature of the kingdom of God and who is welcome in it.