New Testament · Mark 10:13–16Matthew 18:1–5
Jesus Welcomes Children — Bible Story for Kids
When the disciples tried to send children away, Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me." He took them in his arms and blessed them.
This is a retelling for children, written by BibleKenya from the Bible passages shown on each picture. It is not a Bible translation.
People brought their children to so he could them. But the told them to go away.
People were bringing little children to , that he should touch them, but the rebuked those who were bringing them.
was not pleased with the . He said, "Let the little children come to me! Don't stop them. belongs to people like them."
When saw it, he was moved with indignation and said, "Allow the little children to come to me! Don't forbid them, for belongs to such as these. Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God's Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it."
took the children in his arms. He put his hands on them and them.
He took them in his arms and them, laying his hands on them.
Another time, the asked, "Who is the greatest?" called a child and stood the child in the middle of them. He said, "Whoever welcomes a child like this welcomes me."
The asked, "Who then is greatest in the ?" called a little child, set him in the middle of them and said, "Unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest. Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me."
The end of the story
Read it in the Bible
This is the Bible text itself, from the version shown. Scripture in WEBWorld English Bible — Protestant Edition
Mark 10:13–16 WEB
13They were bringing to him little children, that he should touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who were bringing them. 14But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation and said to them, “Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t forbid them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these. 15Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.” 16He took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
Matthew 18:1–5 WEB
1In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” 2Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the middle of them 3and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. 5Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me,
Who is in the story?
- Jesus He welcomed and blessed little children (Mark 10:14-16).
- The disciples They tried to send the children away (Mark 10:13).
- The children Little children brought to Jesus for his blessing (Mark 10:13).
Words to learn
- Blessing
- A blessing is a good gift from God, or kind words asking God to do good to someone. Jesus took the children in his arms and blessed them.
- Disciple
- A disciple is a learner who follows a teacher. Peter and Andrew left their fishing nets to follow Jesus.
- Kingdom of God
- The kingdom of God means God being king. Jesus told stories, like the tiny mustard seed that grows big, to show what God's kingdom is like.
- Laying on of hands
- Placing hands on a person to bless, heal, commission or pray. It appears in both Testaments.
What can we learn from this passage?
Jesus made time for children when others thought they were not important. He said God's kingdom belongs to such as these, and that grown-ups must receive it like a child. Mark 10:14–15