Church Fathers Commentary Luke 18:15-17

"And they were bringing unto him also their babes, that he should touch them: but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, saying, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein." — Luke 18:15-17 (ASV)

Theophylact of Ohrid: After what He had said, our Lord teaches us a lesson of humility by His own example; He does not turn away the little children who are brought to Him, but graciously receives them.

St. Augustine of Hippo: To whom are they brought to be touched, but to the Savior? And as the Savior, they are presented to Him to be saved, for He came to save that which was lost. But with regard to these innocents, when were they lost? The Apostle says, By one man sin entered into the world. Let the little children then come as the sick to a physician, the lost to their Redeemer.

St. Ambrose of Milan: It may seem strange to some that the disciples wished to prevent the little children from coming to our Lord, as it is said, when they saw it, they rebuked them. But we must understand this as either a mystery or the effect of their love for Him. For they did not do it from envy or harsh feeling toward the children, but they showed a holy zeal in their Lord’s service, so that He might not be pressed by the crowds. Our own interests must be given up when an injury is threatened to God. But we may also understand the mystery to be that they desired the Jewish people, from whom they descended according to the flesh, to be saved first.

They indeed knew the mystery that the call was to be made to both nations (for they pleaded for the Canaanitish woman), but perhaps they were still ignorant of the order. It follows, But Jesus called them to him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me... One age is not preferred to another; otherwise, it would be harmful to grow up.

But why does He say that children are better suited for the kingdom of heaven? It is because they are ignorant of guile, are incapable of theft, dare not return a blow, are unconscious of lust, and have no desire for wealth, honors, or ambition. But being ignorant of these things is not virtue; we must also despise them. For virtue consists not in our inability to sin, but in our unwillingness. Therefore, childhood itself is not meant here, but rather that goodness which rivals the simplicity of childhood.

The Venerable Bede: Hence, our Lord pointedly says, of such, not of these, to show that the kingdom is given based on character, not age, and that the reward is promised to those who have a childlike innocence and simplicity.

St. Ambrose of Milan: Lastly, our Savior expressed this when He said, Verily I say to you, Whoever will not receive the kingdom of God as a little child... What child were Christ’s Apostles to imitate but Him of whom Isaiah speaks, Unto us a Child is given? Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again. So there is in childhood a certain venerable antiquity, and in old age a childlike innocence.

St. Basil the Great: We will receive the kingdom of God as a child if we are disposed toward our Lord’s teaching as a child is under instruction, never contradicting or disputing with their teachers, but trustfully and teachably absorbing what is taught.

Theophylact of Ohrid: The wise men of the Gentiles, therefore, who seek for wisdom in a mystery—which is the kingdom of God—and will not receive this without the evidence of logical proof, are rightly shut out from this kingdom.