Mark 10:13-16

Expanded Bible

Jesus Accepts Children^(A)

¹³Some people brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch them, but his ·followers [disciples] ·told them to stop [scolded/rebuked them]. ¹⁴When Jesus saw this, he was ·upset [angry; indignant] and said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these children [^Cmeaning humble and dependent]. ¹⁵I tell you the truth, you must accept the kingdom of God as if you were a little child, or you will never enter it.” ¹⁶Then Jesus took the children in his arms, ·put [laid] his hands on them, and blessed them.

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Matthew 19:13-15

Expanded Bible

Jesus Welcomes Children^(A)

¹³Then the people brought their little children to Jesus so he could ·put [lay] his hands on them [^Can act of blessing] and pray for them. [^LBut] His ·followers [disciples] ·told them to stop [scolded/rebuked them], ¹⁴but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t ·stop [hinder] them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people who are like these children [^Cmeaning humble and dependent].” ¹⁵After Jesus ·put [lay] his hands on the children [^Ca sign of blessing; Mark 10:16], he left there.

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Luke 18:15-17

Expanded Bible

Who Will Enter God’s Kingdom?^(A)

¹⁵Some people brought even their babies to Jesus so he could touch them. When the ·followers [disciples] saw this, they ·told them to stop [scolded/rebuked them]. ¹⁶But Jesus called for the children, saying, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t ·stop [hinder; forbid] them, because the kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these children [^Cmeaning humble and dependent]. ¹⁷I tell you the truth, you must ·accept [receive] the kingdom of God as if you were a child, or you will never enter it.”