18:16 {5} But Jesus {g} called them [unto him], and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
(5) The elect children of the faithful are included in the free covenant of God. (Ed.)
(g) Those that carried the children, whom the disciples drove away.
18:15-17 They brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them. See notes on Mt 19:13-15 Mr 10:13-16 It was the customs of the Jews to bring their babes to the synagogue for the rabbi to lay his hands upon and bless. So says the Talmud.
18:16 Calling them - Those that brought the children: of such is the kingdom of God - Such are subjects of the Messiah's kingdom. And such as these it properly belongs to.
18:15-17 None are too little, too young, to be brought to Christ, who knows how to show kindness to those not capable of doing service to him. It is the mind of Christ, that little children should be brought to him. The promise is to us, and to our seed; therefore He will bid them welcome to him with us. And we must receive his kingdom as children, not by purchase, and must call it our Father's gift.
