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MATTHEW 19:13 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Matt 19:12Matt 19:14
“Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.”
Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people. The children brought for Jesus' blessing are an echo of the child placed in the middle in Matthew 18:2–4. The disciples who are told to receive the little ones (18:5) are now rebuking those who bring them. The irony communicates the persistent gap between the disciples' teaching and their practice.

Church Fathers on Matthew 19:13

The Lord had been holding discourse of chastity; and some of His hearers now brought unto Him infants, who in respect of chastity are the purest; for they supposed that it was the pure in body only whom He had approved; and this is that which is said, 'Then were brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray.'

Pseudo-Chrysostom · 5th century

For they now understood from His previous mighty works, that by laying on of His hands and by prayer evils were obviated. They bring therefore children to Him, judging that it were impossible that after the Lord had by His touch conveyed divine virtue into them, harm or any daemon should come nigh them.

Origen · 3rd century

For it was a custom among the ancients that little children should be brought to aged persons, to receive benediction by their hand or tongue; and according to this custom little children are now brought to the Lord.

Remigius · 9th century
Read all 13 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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Matthew 19:13 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy