What Does Matthew 19:14 Mean? - PowerfulJesus.com

If you’ve ever wondered what Jesus meant when he said,

“Let the little children come to me,” in Matthew 19:14, you’re not alone.

This verse has been a cornerstone for many discussions about faith, innocence, and the Kingdom of Heaven.

But what did Jesus truly intend to convey, and how can we apply this message to our lives today?

Understanding the Context

Before diving into the specifics of Matthew 19:14, let’s set the stage.

In this chapter, Jesus is teaching in Judea.

Crowds gather around Him, bringing their children to be blessed.

However, the disciples, thinking they’re helping, try to keep the children away, assuming Jesus has more important things to do.

That’s when Jesus steps in and delivers this powerful message:

“But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’” (Matthew 19:14, ESV)

Key Elements in the Verse:

Jesus’ Invitation: “Let the little children come to me…”
A Prohibition: “…and do not hinder them…”
A Profound Truth: “…for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Each part of this verse carries significant weight and meaning.

Let the Little Children Come to Me

Jesus’ Love for Children

Jesus’ statement, “Let the little children come to me,” is a clear invitation.

It shows His deep affection for children.

In a society where children were often seen as less significant, Jesus elevates their importance.

He welcomes them, not as future members of His kingdom but as current, integral parts of it.

Children as a Model of Faith

By inviting children, Jesus highlights their qualities of innocence, trust, and humility.

Children naturally embody a pure and simple faith—a faith that doesn’t question but trusts wholeheartedly.

This is the kind of faith Jesus calls all of us to have.

In another part of the Gospels, Jesus emphasizes this child-like faith:

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3, ESV)

Jesus isn’t asking us to be childish but to possess a child-like faith, marked by trust and openness to God.

Do Not Hinder Them

Barriers to Faith

When Jesus tells the disciples not to hinder the children, He’s addressing more than just the immediate situation.

He’s speaking to a broader issue: the barriers we often place that keep others from coming to Him.

These barriers can be:

Judgment: Thinking someone isn’t “good enough” to approach Jesus.
Tradition: Holding on to rigid rules that make it hard for people to feel welcome.
Busyness: Prioritizing tasks and schedules over people.

Welcoming Everyone

Jesus’ rebuke to the disciples is a reminder that everyone, regardless of age, background, or status, is welcome in His kingdom.

We should be mindful of how our actions or attitudes might unintentionally hinder others from experiencing Jesus’ love.

For to Such Belongs the Kingdom of Heaven

The Heart of God’s Kingdom

In saying “for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven,” Jesus reveals a profound truth about who is fit for His kingdom.

The qualities children possess—innocence, humility, and an unguarded heart—are exactly what Jesus desires in His followers.

He’s not saying that only children can enter the kingdom of heaven, but that we should strive to have a heart like theirs.

Reflection on Our Faith

This part of the verse invites us to reflect on our own faith.

Do we approach God with the same openness and trust as a child?

Are we willing to lay down our pretenses and come to Him with a simple, sincere heart?

Applying Matthew 19:14 Today

Embracing Child-like Faith

To apply Matthew 19:14 in our lives, we need to cultivate child-like qualities in our faith:

Trust: Believe in God’s promises without doubt.
Humility: Acknowledge our dependence on God.
Openness: Be willing to accept and receive God’s love and guidance.

Welcoming and Nurturing Others

Just as Jesus welcomed the children, we should welcome others into our lives and faith communities.

Here are a few ways to embody this message:

Be Inclusive: Make efforts to include everyone, especially those who might feel left out.
Show Kindness: Be patient and kind, creating an environment where people feel valued.
Break Down Barriers: Identify and remove any obstacles that might keep someone from experiencing God’s love.

Teaching and Guiding the Young

For those involved in teaching or raising children, Matthew 19:14 offers a clear directive to nurture their faith.

Here’s how you can do that:

Encourage Their Spiritual Growth: Provide opportunities for children to learn about and experience God.
Model Child-like Faith: Show by example what it means to trust and follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
Create a Welcoming Environment: Ensure that children feel loved and valued within your community.

Conclusion

Matthew 19:14 is a powerful reminder of Jesus’ love for children and His call for us to embody a child-like faith.

It challenges us to remove barriers that prevent others from coming to Him and encourages us to create a welcoming environment for all.

As we strive to live out these principles, we draw closer to the heart of God’s kingdom, where faith, humility, and openness are cherished.

In your journey of faith, remember to come to Jesus with the simplicity and trust of a child.

Embrace His invitation, remove any hindrances, and cultivate the qualities that make His kingdom so beautifully accessible to all.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Matthew 19:14

1. What is the significance of Matthew 19:14?

Answer: Matthew 19:14 highlights Jesus’ love for children and underscores the importance of child-like qualities—such as innocence, trust, and humility—in the Kingdom of Heaven.

It reminds us that everyone is welcome in Jesus’ presence and that we should foster a faith that is pure and open, like that of a child.

2. Why did the disciples try to keep the children away from Jesus?

Answer: The disciples likely thought they were protecting Jesus from interruptions and maintaining order.

They might have believed that Jesus had more important matters to attend to than spending time with children.

However, Jesus rebuked this notion, emphasizing that children are integral to His Kingdom and should never be turned away.

3. How can we develop a child-like faith as Jesus described?

Answer: To develop a child-like faith, we should:

Trust in God: Have confidence in God’s promises and plans without doubt.
Be Humble: Recognize our dependence on God and let go of pride.
Stay Open: Approach God with sincerity and a willingness to accept His love and guidance.

4. What barriers might we inadvertently place that hinder others from coming to Jesus?

Answer: Barriers can include:

Judgmental Attitudes: Assuming some people aren’t worthy of Jesus’ love.
Rigid Traditions: Holding onto practices that exclude or alienate others.
Prioritizing Tasks Over People: Focusing on activities rather than relationships.

5. How can we welcome others, especially children, into our faith communities?

Answer: To welcome others, we can:

Be Inclusive: Actively invite and include everyone, ensuring they feel valued.
Show Kindness and Patience: Create a loving and supportive environment.
Remove Obstacles: Make efforts to identify and eliminate any barriers that might prevent someone from experiencing God’s love.

6. What does Jesus mean by “for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven”?

Answer: Jesus means that the qualities children possess—innocence, humility, and an unguarded heart—are exactly what He desires in His followers.

While He’s not saying only children can enter the kingdom of heaven, He is pointing out that we should strive to embody these child-like characteristics in our faith.

7. How can we apply the lessons from Matthew 19:14 in our daily lives?

Answer: Applying Matthew 19:14 involves:

Embracing Child-like Faith: Cultivating trust, humility, and openness in our relationship with God.
Welcoming Others: Making efforts to include and value everyone, regardless of age or background.
Nurturing Children’s Faith: Providing opportunities for children to grow spiritually and ensuring they feel loved and valued in our communities.

8. Why are children often seen as examples of the ideal qualities for God’s kingdom?

Answer: Children are seen as examples because they naturally possess qualities like:

Trust: They rely fully on their caregivers, reflecting the trust we should have in God.
Innocence: They have a purity and straightforwardness that is untainted by the world’s complexities.
Humility: They understand their need for guidance and support, mirroring how we should approach our relationship with God.

9. What are some practical steps to ensure we don’t hinder others from coming to Jesus?

Answer: Practical steps include:

Being Non-Judgmental: Accepting and loving people as they are.
Simplifying Practices: Keeping traditions flexible and accessible.
Prioritizing Relationships: Focusing on people and their needs over tasks and schedules.

10. How does Matthew 19:14 relate to other teachings of Jesus about children?

Answer: Matthew 19:14 is consistent with other teachings of Jesus that emphasize the importance of child-like qualities.

For example, in Matthew 18:3, Jesus says, “unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

These teachings collectively highlight the value of trust, humility, and openness in our spiritual lives and in how we interact with others.

11. What can we learn from Jesus’ interaction with children in Matthew 19:14?

Answer: We learn that Jesus values and loves children deeply, seeing them as an essential part of His kingdom. His interaction teaches us to:

Value Simplicity and Purity: Recognize and cherish the straightforward, pure faith of children.
Be Welcoming: Always be open to including and blessing those who seek Jesus, especially the most vulnerable.
Reflect on Our Own Faith: Strive to cultivate a faith that mirrors the trust and humility seen in children.