Come Be My Follower - Jehovah's Witnesses Official Media Web Site

C H A P T E R 1 4
“Great Crowds
Approached Him”
JESUS knows that the end of his earthly life is fast approaching.
He has just a few weeks left, and there is still
so much to do! He is preaching with his apostles in Perea,
a region east of the Jordan River. They are working their
way south toward Jerusalem, where Jesus will attend his
final, climactic Passover.
2 After Jesus has a weighty discussion with some religious
leaders, there is a small disturbance. People are
bringing their children to see him. Evidently, the children
vary in age, for Mark refers to them by the same
word that he earlier used to describe a child of 12,
while Luke uses a word that can be rendered “infants.”
(Luke 18:15; Mark 5:41, 42; 10:13) Of course, wherever
there are children, there is often some exuberant noise
and commotion. Jesus’ disciples reprimand the parents,
perhaps assuming that the Master is too busy to bother
with the children. What does Jesus do?
3 When he sees what is going on, Jesus is indignant.
With whom? The children? The parents? No—with his
disciples! He says: “Let the young children come to me;
do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs
to suchlike ones. Truly I say to you, Whoever does
not receive the kingdom of God like a young child will
by no means enter into it.” Then Jesus takes the children
“into his arms,” blessing them. (Mark 10:13-16) Mark’s
language here suggests that Jesus affectionately embraces
1-3. What happens when parents bring their children to Jesus, and
what does this incident reveal about Jesus?