Let the Children Come to Me

¹³ And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.¹⁴But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.¹⁵ Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”¹⁶And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Who Is the Greatest?

¹ At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”²And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them³and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.⁴ Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

⁵ “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,⁶but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

¹²But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,