Gospel of Luke 18:1-34

Are you ready?

Gospel of Luke
Paul J. Bucknell

Handling Hopelessness (Luke 18:1-8) | Facing Self-righteousness (Luke 18:9-14) | Caring for the Neglected (Luke 18:15-17)

False Confidence (Luke 18:18-27) | The Reward of Faithfulness (Luke 18:28-30) | Lesson to Remember (Luke 18:31-34)

Personal preparations that make an eternal difference!

What kind of preparations did the disciples need to face the sufferings of Christ?

How can we get ready now for what we yet need to face in the future?
An Introduction to the Gospel of Luke 18:1-34.

Caring for the Neglected

Jesus receives the little children

Luke 18:15-17


The Bible Text (Luke 18:15-17)

And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and 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 shall not enter it at all” (Luke 18:15-17, NASB).

An Introduction (Luke 18:15-17)

These verses relate to the former topic (Luke 18:9-14). We can see the pride built up in the disciples. The lack of genuine interest for the babies reveals how a ‘better than another attitude’ had infected them. Jesus saw these children not as ones which needlessly filled up His schedule but as a place where people brought their most precious concerns to the Lord. These parents were to be applauded.

We should note that the society in their time did not spoil children. They often had no rights whatsoever. Jesus believed they had rights to know God but at the same time was to obey their parents.

The Greek word ‘brephos’ for babies (15) can either mean an unborn foetus (still in the womb) or recently born child, an infant or baby. Jesus used the word 'paidion' which means little children as well as infants.

The Bible Study Questions (Luke 18:15-17)

• Who were bringing babies? Where did they take them (Luke 18:15)?
• Why did they do this (Luke 18:15)? What do you think they hoped to gain by doing this?

• Who rebuked these people for bringing their children to Jesus (Luke 18:15)? Why do you think they did this?

• How did Jesus respond to this situation (Luke 18:16)?

• What did Jesus mean by Luke 18:17, “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all.”

“The kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Luke 18:16).

The Application Questions (Luke 18:15-17)

• Have you ever felt that the Lord might not welcome you? How can this passage be of help to you?

• Do you ever get resentful when others are favored by the Lord and you aren’t? What should be our attitude?

• Do you as a parent care for God's blessing on your children? How do you develop that concern and passion in them?

• Do you treat children as 'in the way' or of a lower status?

A Summary (Luke 18:15-17)

Jesus used the word for child (paidion) which includes babies, toddlers and even older children. We can only conclude that Jesus purposely broadened His welcome to even include older children. There were no doubt some children there watching Him, and when they heard this, probably ran up to Jesus to be blessed. Oh, that more people including children would have a greater love and affection for Jesus. They will be more blessed!

We should desire that more people including children receive His blessing and respond by seeking Him more diligently ourselves!


The BFF Biblical Training Library that has an incredible amount of Biblical training materials all in pdf, powerpoint or mp3 ready to share, print or use in your teaching.

Check out BFF's Resource Center for purchasing thislow cost digital library.

 Feel free to copy, edit, print and use this material!



Biblical Foundations for Freedom - Resources on the Gospel of Luke

INTRODUCTION TO CHRIST
(Luke 1-3)

Luke Introduction pdf
Luke Teaching Outline pdf
Luke 1:26-38 Christmas Lights pdf
Luke 1:45-55 Christmas Prayer pdf
Luke 1:56-75 Notes pdf
Luke 1:57-80 John's Birth pdf
Luke 2:1-20 Jesus' Birth pdf
Luke 2:8-20 Good News pdf
Luke 3:1-38 Jesus & John pdf
Luke 3:21-38 Genealogy pdf

THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST
(Luke 4-9:36)

Luke 5:27-32 Needy pdf
Luke 5:33-35 Fasting Discipline pdf
Luke 5:36-39 New-Wineskins pdf
Luke 6:1-11 Sabbath pdf
Luke 6:11-19 Character & Calling pdf
Luke 7:1-10 Faith html
Luke 7:11-17 Widow & Son html
Luke 7:18-35 John the Baptist html
Luke 7:36-50 Two-debtors html
Luke 7:1-50 Faith pdf
Luke 8:22-25 Storm-Stilled pdf
Luke 8:26-39 Demoniac pdf
Luke 8:40-56 Power-Death pdf

Luke 9:1-36 Handout Questions pdf
Luke 9:1-10 Sending out Twelve html
Luke 9:11-17 Feeding of 5000 html
Luke 9:18-26 Life of Denial - Questions html
Luke 9:27-36 Glory of Christ html
Luke 9:37-48 Greatness pdf
Luke 9:45-55 Pride & Leadership pdf
Luke 9:57-62 Discipleship html | pdf | Questions html | pdf
Luke 9:57-10:2 Mission Ready html | pdf {See NT Library for more}
Luke 10:1 Mission Involvement html
Luke 10:2a Mission Worldview html
Luke 10:2b Prayer & missions html
Luke 11:1-5 Content of Prayer pdf
Luke 11:14-26 Participating in Prayer pdf
Luke 11:14-28 Prayer Strategy pdf
Luke 11:5-13 Persistent in Prayer pdf

INSTRUCTION IN VIEW OF CHRIST'S REJECTION
(Luke 12-19:27)

Luke 12:25-26 A Perspective on Worry html
Luke 13:1-5 Understanding Disasters html | pdf
Luke 13:18-19 Mustard Seed pdf
Luke 13:20-30 Leaven & Decisions pdf
Luke 13:31-35 Mission Growth pdf
Luke 14:1-14 Teaching html | pdf
Luke 14:15-35 Commitment html | pdf
Luke 15:1-2 Lost pdf
Luke 15:3-10 Lost Sheep pdf
Luke 15:11-32 Lost Son pdf
Luke 16:19-31 Lazarus pdf
Luke 17:11-19 Perfect Response pdf
Luke 18:1-34 Being Prepared pdf
Luke 18:1-8 Hopelessness html
Luke 18:9-14 Self-righteous html
Luke 18:15-17 Neglected html
Luke 18:18-27 False-Confidence html
Luke 18:28-30 Faithfulness html
Luke 18:31-34 Remember html
Luke 18:35-43 Blind Man pdf
Luke 19:1-10 Tax Collector pdf
Luke 19:11-27 Ten Minas pdf

PASSION OF CHRIST & BEYOND
LUKE 19:28-24)

Luke 19:28-40 Palm Sunday pdf
Luke 19:35-38 Entry html
Luke 19:41-44 Weep Lost pdf
Luke 19:45 20-47 Preach pdf
Luke 20:26-40 Eternity pdf
Luke 22:1-06 The-Plot html
Luke 22:1-30 Introduction html
Luke 22:7-13 The Preparation html
Luke 22:14-23 The Passover html
Luke 22:24-30 Leadership html
Luke 22:1-30 Lord's Supper pdf
Luke 22:29-36 Temptation pdf
Luke 22:31-65 Temptation Handout pdf
Luke 24:13-35 Questions pdf
Luke 24:13-53 Resurrection pdf


BFF HomepageBackBible ArticlesTopical Index | Next


Biblical Foundations for Freedom


NAS BIBLE