προσεκαλέσατο. St Mark adds that Jesus was much displeased with the officious interference of the disciples who so little understood His tenderness.

τῶν γὰρ τοιούτων. Because children are meek, humble, trustful, guileless, unsophisticated, pure. It was a lesson which Jesus often taught, Matthew 5:3; Matthew 11:25; Matthew 17:10; Matthew 17:14; 1 Corinthians 14:20; 1 Peter 2:1-2.

ὡς παιδίον. See Matthew 11:25. Hence the Psalmist says, “My soul is even as a weaned child,” Psalms 131:2. Tradition (erroneously) supposed that St Ignatius was one of these children.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising

Old Testament