Why did Jesus say "Suffer" the children to come unto me?

Question

He must have known that even the kids couldn't stand to be around him with all of his boring "I am the son of god" talk and his "obey thy father and mother" drivel?

Answer 1

He should have just given them gifts instead. Kids love Santa - and to a lesser extent, the Easter Bunny.

Answer 2

You really ought to read the whole thing before making an assumption. Let's read it together: "And they were bringing children to Him so that He might bless them; and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, "Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it." He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them." (1)

You obviously don't have the mental picture of Jesus with kids. I imagine He was the type of guy that little kids hung all over, kind of like my kids do with me. I'm like a human jungle gym to them. Daddy happens to be fair game to climb on, hang from, walk over and try to run over when greeting me after being apart for a long time. I imagine when a group of kids saw Jesus then all ran toward Him and tried to hug Him all at once. I can picture Jesus squatting down to receive that giant hug and getting bowled over by seven to ten kids...and laughing the entire time.

See, you don't have a reference in the Bible for what you're trying to ask. Jesus didn't talk to the kids about how He was the Son of God, or even talk to them about obeying their parents. He was too busy telling all of the adults about how they had to become like these little kids to get into God's heaven.

Nice try. Now, go back and do your research before you ask your next question.

D7

Answer 3

People now begin to bring their young children to Jesus. The disciples, however, scold the children and try to send them away, no doubt wanting to protect Jesus from unnecessary stress. But Jesus 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.”

What fine lessons Jesus here provides! To receive God’s Kingdom, we must imitate the humility and teachableness of young children. But Jesus’ example also illustrates how important it is, especially for parents, to spend time with their children. Jesus now shows his love for little ones by taking them into his arms and blessing them.

It is true that Jesus said: “Stop hindering [the young children] from coming to me, for the kingdom of the heavens belongs to suchlike ones.” (Mt 19:13-15; Mr 10:13-16) But they were not baptized. Jesus blessed them, and there is nothing to indicate that his laying his hands upon them was a religious ceremony. He further showed that the reason ‘the kingdom of God belongs to such’ was not because they were baptized but because they were teachable and trusting. Christians are commanded to be “babes as to badness,” yet “full-grown in powers of understanding.”—Mt 18:4; Lu 18:16, 17

Answer 4

he meant that his disciples had to suffer.
They had to be patient with the little ones to the point of suffering
Because his disciples were chasing the kids away from Jesus just before Jesus said it. Jesus has this sense of humor you know...

Answer 5

The Greek word for the word "suffer" in the verse you reference and the English translations are as follows:

aphiēmi
1) to send away
1a) to bid going away or depart
1a1) of a husband divorcing his wife
1b) to send forth, yield up, to expire
1c) to let go, let alone, let be
1c1) to disregard
1c2) to leave, not to discuss now, (a topic)
1c2a) of teachers, writers and speakers
1c3) to omit, neglect
1d) to let go, give up a debt, forgive, to remit
1e) to give up, keep no longer
2) to permit, allow, not to hinder, to give up a thing to a person
3) to leave, go way from one
3a) in order to go to another place
3b) to depart from any one
3c) to depart from one and leave him to himself so that all mutual claims are abandoned
3d) to desert wrongfully
3e) to go away leaving something behind
3f) to leave one by not taking him as a companion
3g) to leave on dying, leave behind one
3h) to leave so that what is left may remain, leave remaining
3i) abandon, leave destitute

Lawrence

Answer 6

Suffer means to send forth.

Answer 7

christian will Suffer many things when living for the Lord Jesus Christ

Answer 8

Suffer also means "to allow or permit"

Answer 9

the word suffer means.[ come ] or[primet]. the children to come unto me . the meaning of [suffer.] this is the meaning christ was saying this is very bible ...

Answer 10

StrayKittycat is right.
English has changed over the years.