Matthew 19:15 — Community Reflections

MATTHEW 19:15 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.”

And he laid his hands on them and went away. The laying on of hands — the blessing gesture — and the departure communicates the completeness of the brief encounter. Jesus did what the people brought their children for: he laid his hands on them and blessed them. The brief narrative communicates the priority Jesus assigns to those the disciples found dispensable.

Church Fathers on Matthew 19:15

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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