Bible Strands
Mark 10:13
Now people were bringing the little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, and the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative records people bringing little children to Jesus for Him to touch them, while the disciples actively rebuke those who bring them. This occurs immediately after Jesus’ teaching on divorce, placing Him in a moment of public ministry interrupted by human gatekeeping.
The words — The Greek προσέφερον (prosepheron) indicates a continuous action of “they were bringing,” while ἅψηται (hapsētai) specifies the intended action: “He may touch.”
The thread — This event is recorded in parallel in Matthew 19:13 and Luke 18:15, where the disciples similarly attempt to stop the gathering. It echoes Deuteronomy 31:12 in the inclusion of children within the community brought before God’s representative.
Why it lands — The text describes a direct clash between human exclusion and divine access, showing that the disciples’ assumptions conflict with Jesus’ practice. It requires the reader to submit to Jesus’ authority over social or religious barriers to approaching Him.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
Cross-references
- Matthew 19:13 Then 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.
- Luke 18:15 Now people were even bringing their babies to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them. And when the disciples saw this, they rebuked those who brought them.
- Deuteronomy 31:12 Assemble the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners within your gates—so that they may listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and to follow carefully all the words of this law.
- Exodus 10:9 “We will go with our young and old,” Moses replied. “We will go with our sons and daughters, and with our flocks and herds, for we must hold a feast to the LORD.”
- Joel 2:16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the aged, gather the children, even those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.
- Mark 9:38 John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone else driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.”
- Mark 10:48 Many people admonished him to be silent, but he cried out all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”