The Meaning of Mark 10:14 Explained

Mark 10:14

KJV: 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.

YLT: and Jesus having seen, was much displeased, and he said to them, 'Suffer the children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the reign of God;

Darby: But Jesus seeing it, was indignant, and said to them, Suffer the little children to come to me; forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God.

ASV: But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me; forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Mark 10:14 Mean?

Context Summary

Mark 10:1-22 - The Divine Law Of Marriage
God made one man for one woman; therefore divorce is not permissible, unless the one act be committed which severs the nuptial tie. Then only is the bond broken by which husband and wife are one. There should be no compulsory celibacy. Some can live the single life; others cannot. Each must work out his own possibilities, and none may judge another.
It would appear that the fathers brought the little ones. They had a truer perception of the heart of Jesus than the disciples. All through the ages men have supposed that strength, wisdom, and wealth have the greatest attractions for our Lord, whereas it is precisely the reverse. Of such is His Kingdom.
Youth, with all its fervor and impetuosity, is very beautiful to the Lord Jesus. In this case it was combined with station, high standing, and wealth. It is not necessary that all should sell their goods, and give away the proceeds; indeed, it is often harder to retain and administer them rightly for God. But it was necessary for Christ to prove to this young man that he was not living the life of love, as he seemed to suppose. That alone can fulfill the law, and secure the highest and most perfect blessedness of which we are capable. It was a severe but necessary test for this young man. [source]

Chapter Summary: Mark 10

1  Jesus disputes with the Pharisees concerning divorce;
13  blesses the children that are brought unto him;
17  resolves a rich man how he may inherit everlasting life;
23  tells his disciples of the danger of riches;
28  promises rewards to those who forsake all for the gospel;
32  foretells his death and resurrection;
35  bids the two ambitious suitors to think rather of suffering with him;
46  and restores to Bartimaeus his sight

Greek Commentary for Mark 10:14

He was moved with indignation [ηγανακτησεν]
In Mark alone. The word is ingressive aorist, became indignant, and is a strong word of deep emotion (from αγαν — agan and αχτομαι — achthomai to feel pain). Already in Matthew 21:15; Matthew 26:8. Old and common word. [source]
Suffer the little children to come unto me [απετε τα παιδια ερχεσται προς με]
Mark has the infinitive ερχεσται — erchesthai (come) not in Matthew, but in Luke. Surely it ought to be a joy to parents to bring their children to Jesus, certainly to allow them to come, but to hinder their coming is a crime. There are parents who will have to give answer to God for keeping their children away from Jesus. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 10:14

Luke 18:16 Called [προσεκαλεσατο]
Indirect middle aorist indicative, called the children with their parents to himself and then rebuked the disciples for their rebuke of the parents. The language of Jesus is precisely that of Mark 10:14 which see, and nearly that of Matthew 19:14 which see note also. The plea of Jesus that children be allowed to come to him is one that many parents need to heed. It is a tragedy to think of parents “forbidding” their children or of preachers doing the same or of both being stumbling-blocks to children. [source]
2 Corinthians 7:11 Indignation [ἀγανάκτησιν]
Only here in the New Testament. Compare the kindred verb ἀγανακτέω tobe indignant, Matthew 20:24; Mark 10:14, etc. [source]
2 Corinthians 7:11 Earnest care [σπουδην]
Diligence, from σπευδω — speudō to hasten. Cf. Romans 12:11. Yea (αλλα — alla). Not adversative use of αλλα — alla but copulative as is common (half dozen examples here). Clearing of yourselves In the old notion of απολογια — apologia (self-vindication, self-defence) as in 1 Peter 3:15. Indignation (αγανακτησιν — aganaktēsin). Old word, only here in N.T. From αγανακτεο — aganakteo (Mark 10:14, etc.). Avenging Late word from εκδικεω — ekdikeō to avenge, to do justice (Luke 18:5; Luke 21:22), vindication from wrong as in Luke 18:7, to secure punishment (1 Peter 2:14). Pure (αγνους — hagnous). Kin to αγιος — hagios (αζω — hazō to reverence), immaculate. [source]
2 Corinthians 7:11 Clearing of yourselves [απολογια]
In the old notion of απολογια — apologia (self-vindication, self-defence) as in 1 Peter 3:15. Indignation (αγανακτησιν — aganaktēsin). Old word, only here in N.T. From αγανακτεο — aganakteo (Mark 10:14, etc.). Avenging Late word from εκδικεω — ekdikeō to avenge, to do justice (Luke 18:5; Luke 21:22), vindication from wrong as in Luke 18:7, to secure punishment (1 Peter 2:14). Pure (αγνους — hagnous). Kin to αγιος — hagios (αζω — hazō to reverence), immaculate. [source]
2 Corinthians 7:11 Indignation [αγανακτησιν]
Old word, only here in N.T. From αγανακτεο — aganakteo (Mark 10:14, etc.). [source]

What do the individual words in Mark 10:14 mean?

Having seen now - Jesus was indignant and said to them Permit the little children to come to Me not do hinder them To the for such belongs the kingdom - of God
Ἰδὼν δὲ Ἰησοῦς ἠγανάκτησεν καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Ἄφετε τὰ παιδία ἔρχεσθαι πρός με μὴ κωλύετε αὐτά τῶν γὰρ τοιούτων ἐστὶν βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ

Ἰδὼν  Having  seen 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: εἶδον 
Sense: to see with the eyes.
δὲ  now 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Ἰησοῦς  Jesus 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰησοῦς  
Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor.
ἠγανάκτησεν  was  indignant 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀγανακτέω  
Sense: to be indignant, moved with indignation, be very displeased.
εἶπεν  said 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
αὐτοῖς  to  them 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
Ἄφετε  Permit 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἀφίημι 
Sense: to send away.
παιδία  little  children 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: παιδίον  
Sense: a young child, a little boy, a little girl.
ἔρχεσθαι  to  come 
Parse: Verb, Present Infinitive Middle or Passive
Root: ἔρχομαι  
Sense: to come.
με  Me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
κωλύετε  do  hinder 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: κωλύω  
Sense: to hinder, prevent forbid.
τῶν  To  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
τοιούτων  such 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: τοιοῦτος  
Sense: such as this, of this kind or sort.
ἐστὶν  belongs 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
βασιλεία  kingdom 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: βασιλεία  
Sense: royal power, kingship, dominion, rule.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.