See the notes at Matthew 19:13-30.

They brought unto him also infants - On these verses the reader is requested to consult the notes on Matthew 19:13 (note), Matthew 19:14 (note), and on Mark 10:16 (note).

When a spiritual guide (a gooroo) visits his disciple, the latter takes his child to him for his blessing, forcing the head of the child down to the gooroo's feet, who gives what is called his blessing in some such words as these, Live long! - Be learned! - Be rich!

And they brought unto him also infants,.... As well as grown persons, that were sick, to be healed by him:

that he would touch them; in order, as some learned men think, to cure them of diseases that attended them; for one of the ways by which Christ healed persons, was by touching them; nor do we read of his touching in common for any other purpose, or of persons desiring him to touch them, or theirs, but for this end; in Matthew 19:13 it is read, "that he should put his hands on them"; and so the Arabic and Persic versions here read, in order to pray over them, and bless them: but neither in one place, nor the other, is any mention of their baptism, or of their being brought for such a purpose; nor can it be concluded from hence;

but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them; the persons that brought the infants; See Gill on Matthew 19:13.

Infants (τὰ βρέφη)

See on 1 Peter 2:2.

Touch

So Mark. Matthew has lay his hands on them and pray.

{f} And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: {4} but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

(f) The children were tender and young in that they were brought, which appears more evidently in that they were infants. (Ed.)

(4) To judge or think of Christ after the reason of the flesh is the cause of infinite corruptions.

18:15-17 They brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them. See notes on Mt 19:13-15 Mr 10:13-16 It was the customs of the Jews to bring their babes to the synagogue for the rabbi to lay his hands upon and bless. So says the Talmud.

18:15 Mt 19:13; Mr 10:13.

Lu 18:15-17. Little Children Brought to Christ.

15. infants-showing that some, at least, of those called in Matthew (Mt 19:13) and Mark (Mr 10:13) simply "little" or "young children," were literally "babes."

touch them-or, as more fully in Matthew (Mt 19:13), "put His hands on them and pray," or invoke a "blessing" on them (Mr 10:16), according to venerable custom (Ge 48:14, 15).

rebuked them-Repeatedly the disciples thus interposed to save annoyance and interruption to their Master; but, as the result showed, always against the mind of Christ (Mt 15:23; Lu 18:39, 40). Here, it is plain from our Lord's reply, that they thought the intrusion a useless one, as infants were not capable of receiving anything from Him. His ministrations were for grown people.

18:15-17 None are too little, too young, to be brought to Christ, who knows how to show kindness to those not capable of doing service to him. It is the mind of Christ, that little children should be brought to him. The promise is to us, and to our seed; therefore He will bid them welcome to him with us. And we must receive his kingdom as children, not by purchase, and must call it our Father's gift.