John Calvin Commentary Matthew 19:13

"Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should lay his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them." — Matthew 19:13 (ASV)

This narrative is highly useful, for it shows that Christ receives not only those who, moved by holy desire and faith, freely approach him, but also those who are not yet of age to know how much they need his grace. Those little children have not yet any understanding to desire his blessing. But when they are presented to him, he gently and kindly receives them and dedicates them to the Father⁶¹¹ by a solemn act of blessing.

We must observe the intention of those who present the children. If there had not been a deep-rooted conviction in their minds that the power of the Spirit was at his disposal, so that he might pour it out on the people of God, it would have been unreasonable to present their children. Therefore, there is no room to doubt that they ask for them a participation in his grace. And so, by way of amplification, Luke adds the particle also. It is as if he had said that, after they had experienced the various ways in which Christ assisted adults, they also formed an expectation regarding children: that, if he laid hands on them, they would not leave him without having received some of the gifts of the Spirit.

The laying on of hands (as we have said on a previous occasion) was an ancient and well-known sign of blessing. And so there is no reason to wonder if they desire that Christ, while employing that solemn ceremony, should pray for the children. At the same time, as the inferior are blessed by the better (Hebrews 7:7), they ascribe to him the power and honor of the highest Prophet.

But the disciples rebuked them. If a crown⁶¹² had been put on his head, they would have admitted it willingly and with approval, for they did not yet comprehend his actual office. But they consider it unworthy of his character to receive children. And their error did not lack plausibility. For what does the highest Prophet and the Son of God have to do with infants?

But from this we learn that those who judge Christ according to the feeling of their flesh are unfair judges, for they constantly deprive him of his unique excellencies and, on the other hand, ascribe to him, under the appearance of honor, what does not at all belong to him. From this arose an immense mass of superstitions, which presented to the world an imagined Christ.⁶¹³ And therefore let us learn not to think of him otherwise than as he himself teaches, and not to assign to him a character different from what he has received from the Father.

We see what happened with Popery. They thought that they were conferring a great honor on Christ if they bowed down before a small piece of bread, but in the sight of God it was an offensive abomination. Again, because they did not think it sufficiently honorable to him to perform the office of an Advocate for us, they made for themselves innumerable intercessors. But in this way they deprived him of the honor of Mediator.

⁶¹¹ “A Dieu son Pere;” — “to God his Father.”;” — “to God his Father.”

⁶¹² “Une couronne royale;” — “a royal crown.”;” — “a royal crown.”

⁶¹³ “Un Christ faict a la fantasie des hommes;” — “a Christ made according to the fancy of men.”;” — “a Christ made according to the fancy of men.”