BURKITT : | Mr 10V1-12 | Mr 10V13-16 | Mr 10:17 | Mr 10:18 | Mr 10:19 | Mr 10:20 | Mr 10:21-22 | Mr 10:23-27 | Mr 10:28-31 | Mr 10:32-34 | Mr 10:35-41 | Mr 10:42-45 | Mr 10v46-52 | KJV
Reference
13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Observe here, A solemn action performed: children are brought to Christ to be blessed by him.
Where note, 1. The persons brought: children, young children, sucking children, as the word imports, They brought them in their arms, Lu 18:15 not led them by the hands.
2. The Person they are brought unto, Jesus Christ. But for what end? Not to baptize them, but to bless them: the parents looking upon Christ as a prophet, a great Prophet, the great Prophet, do bring their infants to him, that they might receive the benefit of his blessing and prayers.
Whence learn, 1. The infants are capable of benefit by Jesus Christ.
2. That it is the best office that parents can perform unto their children to bring them unto Christ, that they may be made partakers of that benefit.
3. If infants be capable of benefit by Christ, if capable of his blessings on earth and presence in heaven, if they be subjects of his kingdom of grace, and heirs of his kingdom of glory, then they may be baptized; for they that are in covenant, have a right to the seal of the covenant. If Christ denies not infants the kingdom of heaven, which is the greater, what reason have ministers to deny them the benefit of baptism, which is the less?