Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 19:14

"But Jesus said, Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven." — Matthew 19:14 (ASV)

Jesus did not want the little children prevented from coming to him, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to those like them. Jesus receives them because they are an excellent object lesson in the kind of humility and faith he finds acceptable . Furthermore, having just given an important lesson on the sanctity of marriage and family (vv.3–12), Jesus continues this by saying something important about children.