Commentary
John Lightfoot on Luke 18:15
Horae Hebraicae et Talmudicae. Browse this work.
[But when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.] "Wicked Israelites' little ones shall not come into the world to come: wicked heathen's little ones all men confess they shall not come into the world to come. From what time is a little child capable of the world to come? R. Chaijah and R. Simeon Bar Rabbi; one of them saith, From the time wherein he is born. The other saith, From the time that he can speak. Rabbona saith, From the time it is begot. Rabh Nachman Bar Isaac saith, From the time he is circumcised: R. Meir saith, From the time that he can answer, Amen."
Read the rest of this entry (83 words)
Whether this question was handled in the schools or no in the times of the apostles, it is very probable they took this bringing of little children to Christ ill, because (if they might be judges) they were not capable of the kingdom of heaven. And indeed our Saviour's answer to them seems to favour this conjecture of ours: "Is it so indeed, that you suppose such as these unfit and incapable? I tell you, that of such is the kingdom of God."
John Lightfoot, Horae Hebraicae et Talmudicae, Luke 18:15. Public domain.
Read Luke 18 in the app. Compare commentaries on this chapter.
Source and publication rights
Public domain. Public Domain. Source edition.
Read this in Berean Blue
Berean Blue opens December 1, 2026. Bible reading, study, and research in one place.
View the app preview