The Meaning of Mark 10:13 Explained

Mark 10:13

KJV: And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

YLT: And they were bringing to him children, that he might touch them, and the disciples were rebuking those bringing them,

Darby: And they brought little children to him that he might touch them. But the disciples rebuked those that brought them.

ASV: And they were bringing unto him little children, that he should touch them: and the disciples rebuked them.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  they brought  young children  to him,  that  he should touch  them:  and  [his] disciples  rebuked  those that brought  [them]. 

What does Mark 10:13 Mean?

Study Notes

young
little. Cf. Matthew 5:16

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 10:13

They brought [προσεπερον]
Imperfect active tense, implying repetition. So also Luke 18:15, though Matthew 19:13 has the constative aorist passive “This incident follows with singular fitness after the Lord‘s assertion of the sanctity of married life” (Swete). These children The mothers had reverence for Jesus and wanted him to touch (απσηται — hapsētai) them. There was, of course, no question of baptism or salvation involved, but a most natural thing to do. [source]
They brought [προσέφερον]
Imperfect tense; they were bringing, as he went on his way. Similarly, were rebuking, as they were successively brought. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Mark 10:13

Mark 9:37 One of such little children [hen tōn toioutōn paidiōn)]
Matthew 18:5 has “one such little child” and Luke 9:48 “this little child.” It was an object lesson to the arrogant conceit of the twelve apostles contending for primacy. They did not learn this lesson for they will again wrangle over primacy (Mark 10:33-45; Matthew 20:20-28) and they will be unable to comprehend easily what the attitude of Jesus was toward children (Mark 10:13-16; Matthew 19:13-15; Luke 8:15-17). The child was used as a rebuke to the apostles. [source]
Luke 18:15 They brought [προσεπερον]
Imperfect active, they were bringing. So Mark 10:13. [source]
Luke 18:15 Their babes [τα βρεπη]
Old word for infants. Here Mark 10:13; Matthew 19:13 have παιδια — paidia (little children). Note “also” Present middle subjunctive (linear action, repeatedly touch or one after the other), where Mark 10:13 has aorist middle subjunctive (απσηται — hapsētai).Rebuked Imperfect indicative active. Either inchoative began to rebuke, or continued, kept on rebuking. Matthew and Mark have the aorist επετιμησαν — epetimēsan f0). [source]
Luke 18:15 infants []
. Here Mark 10:13; Matthew 19:13 have παιδια — paidia (little children). Note “also” Present middle subjunctive (linear action, repeatedly touch or one after the other), where Mark 10:13 has aorist middle subjunctive (απσηται — hapsētai).Rebuked Imperfect indicative active. Either inchoative began to rebuke, or continued, kept on rebuking. Matthew and Mark have the aorist επετιμησαν — epetimēsan f0). [source]
Luke 18:15 That he should touch them [ινα αυτων απτηται]
Present middle subjunctive (linear action, repeatedly touch or one after the other), where Mark 10:13 has aorist middle subjunctive (απσηται — hapsētai). [source]

What do the individual words in Mark 10:13 mean?

And they were bringing to Him little children that them He might touch - But the disciples rebuked them
Καὶ προσέφερον αὐτῷ παιδία ἵνα αὐτῶν ἅψηται οἱ δὲ μαθηταὶ ἐπετίμησαν αὐτοῖς

προσέφερον  they  were  bringing 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: προσφέρω  
Sense: to bring to, lead to.
αὐτῷ  to  Him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
παιδία  little  children 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: παιδίον  
Sense: a young child, a little boy, a little girl.
ἵνα  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
ἅψηται  He  might  touch 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἅπτω  
Sense: to fasten one’s self to, adhere to, cling to.
οἱ  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
μαθηταὶ  the  disciples 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: μαθητής  
Sense: a learner, pupil, disciple.
ἐπετίμησαν  rebuked 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἐπιτιμάω  
Sense: to show honour to, to honour.