Let the little children come to me

Mark 10: 13-16 (June 5, 2011)

1) The Text

13People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” 16And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

2) The Context

Mark 9:33 mentions Jesus' arrival in Capernaum on the great journey from Caesarea Philippi (8:27) to Jerusalem. Mark 10:1 envisages a trip which entailed travelling down the eastern side of the Jordan and then crossing near Jericho. Mark keeps reminding us of the journey. The journey is an appropriate setting for instructing disciples (and all who are to join the Christian journey) about matters pertaining to community life. 9:33-50 has already done this in relation to leadership and responsibility. In 10:2-12 and 13-16 Mark places two anecdotes relating to family life – divorce and children.

This is not the only place where Jesus says that God's design means to provide wholeness and protection for those who are vulnerable (see 2:23-3:6). Children in the ancient world had few rights and essentially no social status. Therefore the disciples obstruct people who bring children to Jesus. Jesus blesses them, not because they conjure sweet images of cherubic innocence, but because he has concern for the vulnerable and scorned, for those ripe for exploitation.

3) Interpretation

This passage begins with picking up on the earlier teaching to welcome all who are a like a little child in Mark 9:36. Jesus warns his disciples that no one should place a stumbling block, that is an obstacle, before “these little ones who believe” in Jesus (9:42). Its placement at this point in Mark’s text indicates intention to emphasize the importance of welcoming outsiders and the least powerful among humankind to follow Jesus Christ.

This focus story unfolds in a three-part sequence: the opening part sets the stage for Jesus’ speech and action (10:13); the central part includes two sayings of Jesus prompted by his strong displeasure with his disciples (10:14-15); and the final part stresses Jesus’ action (10:16).

Already in the opening part, two items are quickly introduced that depict a conflict. On the one hand, some people were bringing little children to Jesus. Although the narrative is vague about the identity of the ones who bring the children (in the Greek it is simply “they were bringing”), it is clear about their purpose for doing so—“in order that he might touch them.” Less clear is the intended effect of Jesus’ touching. Is it for a blessing, or, as earlier in the Markan narrative (5:41-42 and 9:26-27), for healing? On the other hand, the narrative relates the disciples’ overhasty rebuke as a contrapuntal action. The disciples have obviously not learned the lesson of discipleship which involves welcoming the “least ones.”

The opening part sets the stage for Jesus’ strong emotional reaction and two emphatic sayings. In 10:14 the narrative describes Jesus as becoming indignant (or, as the Greek word suggests, “becoming incensed at what is wrong”) when he saw the disciples rudely rebuking the people bringing little children. This leads to two sayings of Jesus. The first one in 10:14 is specifically addressed to what the disciples have just done. Jesus’ saying includes an initial positive exhortation that makes clear what the disciples are to do (“allow the little children to come to me”), next a prohibition that indicates what they are to cease doing (“do not continue stopping them!”), and lastly the reason for both (“because of such ones is the kingdom of God”). Now for the first time Jesus directly associates the kingdom of God with little children.

Connecting the kingdom of God and children prepares for Jesus’ second saying that is solemnly introduced with the words “Truly I say to all of you.” This second saying is more general10 and shares linguistic elements with Jesus’ saying in 9:37. Both begin with Greek words that are translated “whoever,” both use the Greek word “receive,” both are concerned with a little child. Moreover, both serve as the final and culminating saying in their narrative episodes. Even more importantly, Jesus’ saying in 10:15 completes the logic begun in his earlier saying. Receiving a little child in Jesus’ name, according to 9:37, is equated with receiving Jesus himself and even God (“the one who sent me”). The theological claim appears similar to that of Matt 25:31-46—by practicing hospitality and care for the least and most vulnerable human being, one receives Jesus who on God’s behalf is in solidarity with this “least one.”

Mark 10:15 furthers the logic by inviting the follower of Jesus to enter the sphere of Jesus and God by entering the place and plight of a little child, one quite vulnerable and totally dependent on benevolent care and protection of adults. Earlier in the Markan narrative, Jesus’ disciples experienced the kingdom’s vulnerability when they were “sent out” in mission where they were dependent on the hospitality of others (see 6:7-13).

Mark 10:13-16 ends by describing Jesus’ action: after taking the little children into his arms, he blessed them by placing his hands on them. His action embodies the dynamic of God’s kingdom: welcoming and blessing the children epitomizes God’s gracious reception of the vulnerable and needy. In summary, then, this story offers readers the kingdom of God both as gift and task. On the one hand, “receiving the kingdom as a little child” implies the welcome and blessing of Jesus for us as we recognize ourselves to be as vulnerable and needy as a little child. Inclusion in God’s kingdom is sheer gift. Yet, on the other hand, the kingdom also invites responsible action on our part. By embracing a little vulnerable child we are welcoming Jesus (and thus God) and receiving the kingdom. Fowler supports this second aspect by rendering the first segment of Jesus’ saying in the following manner: “Receive the Kingdom of God when it approaches in the form of a child.”11

4) Thought Exercise

How do you see inclusion in God’s kingdom as a gift?

What responsible actions have you taken to welcome all who are like little children?