The Nugget:
Mat 19:13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. (KJV)
Mat 19:13 Then some people brought little children to Jesus to have him bless them and pray for them. But the disciples told the people not to do that. (God’s Word translation)
The Context:
Mat 19:13 Some people brought their children to Jesus, so that he could place his hands on them and pray for them. His disciples told the people to stop bothering him.
Mat 19:14 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and don’t try to stop them! People who are like these children belong to God’s kingdom.”
Mat 19:15 After Jesus had placed his hands on the children, he left. (Contemporary English Version)
My Comment:
As far as I have so far noticed, only Matthew’s account mentions that when the young children were brought to Jesus, He not only put his hands on them, but prayed for them.
If Jesus found it important to pray for children, following His example, we should too.
My Greek professor, Dr. Stewart Custer, in his brief commentary on Matthew, remarks:
He obviously prayed divine blessing upon them. We must meditate on what early prayers can do for children. Susanna Wesley prayed for her children.
Custer, S. (2005). The Gospel of the King : a commentary on Matthew (p. 275). Greenville, S.C.: BJU Press.