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Bible story · Mark 10:13–16

Jesus Blesses the Children

The disciples try to send the children away, but Jesus welcomes them. A 2-minute animated story, told simply for children and families, with each verse from the King James Version.

Start the storyFor parents

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One day, parents brought their young children to Jesus, hoping he would touch them and bless them.

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

Mark 10:13 KJV

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But the disciples told the parents off. They thought Jesus was too busy and too important for little children.

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

Mark 10:13 KJV

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When Jesus saw it, he was not pleased. He said, “Let the little children come to me, and don’t stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

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.

Mark 10:14 KJV

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So the children came running to Jesus.

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 19:14 KJV

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Jesus told everyone, “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it.”

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Mark 10:15 KJV

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Then he took the children up in his arms, put his hands on them, and blessed them.

And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

Mark 10:16 KJV

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Children are a gift from the Lord, and every one of them matters to Jesus.

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Psalm 127:3 KJV

The end

Next story: Blind Bartimaeus

What does this story teach?

  • Jesus loves children and always has time for them.
  • No one is too small or too young to come to Jesus.
  • We come to God by trusting him, the way a child trusts.
  • Every child is a gift from God.

Questions to talk about

Use these with your children after the story, at bedtime, at the table or in a class.

  1. Why do you think the disciples tried to send the children away?
  2. How did Jesus feel about that?
  3. What did Jesus do when the children came to him?
  4. What does it mean to trust God like a child?

Read the story in the Bible

This retelling uses simple words for young readers. Read the full account in Mark 10:13–16, one verse per screen:

Mark 10 Matthew 19

Frequently asked questions

Where is the story of Jesus blessing the children in the Bible?

It is in Mark 10:13–16, and also in Matthew 19:13–15 and Luke 18:15–17.

What does “Suffer the little children to come unto me” mean?

In the King James Version, “suffer” means “allow” or “let.” Jesus was saying, “Let the little children come to me, and don’t stop them” (Mark 10:14).

Why did the disciples stop the children?

Mark 10:13 says the disciples rebuked those who brought them. They probably thought Jesus was too busy for children, but Jesus was displeased and welcomed them.

What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God as a little child?

In Mark 10:15 Jesus says we must receive God’s kingdom like a little child: trusting, humble and glad to receive a gift we can’t earn.

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