Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
Parallel translations
- WEB He took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
- KJV And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
- BSB And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them, and blessed them.
- NKJV And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.
- NASB And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus takes the children in his arms and blesses them. His tender action embodies the welcome the kingdom extends to the lowly.
Overview
Going beyond what was asked, Jesus embraces, lays hands on, and blesses the children. The warmth of the scene reveals the heart of the Savior toward the vulnerable and dependent. It vividly enacts the truth he has just taught about the kingdom belonging to the childlike.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Mark 9:36He took a little child, and set him in the middle of them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them,
- Isa 40:11He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young.
- John 21:15–17So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
- Luke 2:28–34then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,
- Luke 24:50–51He led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
- Deut 28:3You shall be blessed in the city, and you shall be blessed in the field.
- Gen 48:14–16Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 10:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.