Matthew 19:14

Suffer little children, &c.— Let the little children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to me. See Dr. Scott, Doddridge, &c. Christ's shewing his regard in such a manner for these children, must not only have been exceedingly pleasing to the parents, but the memory of this condescension might make tender and lasting impressions on the children themselves; and the sight must have been very edifyingand encouraging to other young persons who might happen to be present; not to say how instructive this gentleness to children may be to ministers, and how much their usefulness may be promoted by a regard to it. Our Lord might reasonably be the more displeased with his disciples for endeavouring to prevent their being brought, as he had so lately set a child among them, and insisted on the necessity of their being made conformable to it. See ch. Matthew 18:2. And perhaps, as the disciples expressed some dissatisfaction at his doctrine concerning divorce, Matthew 19:10. Jesus took this opportunity to inform them again, that unless they possessed the humility, meekness, and docility of children, they should not enter into the kingdom of God; for of such is the kingdom of heaven; that is to say, as Dr. Doddridge paraphrases it, "Persons of such a character are the true subjects of my kingdom, and heirs of eternal glory, to which my little children are received; and, in token of it, the children of believing parents are to be admitted into my church by baptism." See Mark 10:15.