The Meaning of Luke 18:16 Explained

Luke 18:16

KJV: But Jesus 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.

YLT: and Jesus having called them near, said, 'Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the reign of God;

Darby: But Jesus calling them to him said, Suffer little children to come to me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of God.

ASV: But Jesus called them unto him, saying, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  Jesus  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. 

What does Luke 18:16 Mean?

Context Summary

Luke 18:9-17 - Those Whom God Accepts
We are taught here the spirit in which we should pray. Too many pray "with themselves." The only time that we may thank God for not being as others is when we attribute the contrast to His grace, 1 Timothy 1:12-14. Let it never be forgotten that those who will be justified and stand accepted before God are they who are nothing in their own estimate.
To be self-emptied and poor in spirit is the fundamental and indispensable preparation for receiving the grace of God. "Be propitiated to me" (r.v., margin), cried the publican. "There is a propitiation for our sins," is the answer of Hebrews 2:17, r.v. Each penitent counts himself the sinner, 1 Timothy 1:15. Bow yourself at the feet of Christ and He will lift you to His throne.
We think that children must grow up to become like us before they are eligible to the Kingdom. Nay, we must grow down to become like them, in simplicity, in humility and in faith. [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 18

1  Of the importunate widow
9  Of the Pharisee and the tax collector
15  Of Children brought to Jesus
18  A ruler would follow Jesus, but is hindered by his riches
28  The reward of those who leave all for his sake
31  He foretells his death;
35  and restores a blind man to sight

Greek Commentary for 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]
Suffer []
See on Matthew 19:14. Only Mark notes the taking in his arms.sa40 [source]

What do the individual words in Luke 18:16 mean?

- But Jesus having called to [Him] them said Permit the little children to come to Me and not do forbid them of the for such is the kingdom - of God
δὲ Ἰησοῦς προσεκαλέσατο αὐτὰ λέγων Ἄφετε τὰ παιδία ἔρχεσθαι πρός με καὶ μὴ κωλύετε αὐτά τῶν γὰρ τοιούτων ἐστὶν βασιλεία τοῦ Θεοῦ

  - 
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.
προσεκαλέσατο  having  called  to  [Him] 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: προσκαλέω  
Sense: to call to.
λέγων  said 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
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  forbid 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: κωλύω  
Sense: to hinder, prevent forbid.
τῶν  of  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.
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.