Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 19:13

13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them and pray, and the disciples rebuked them.

Mark saith, Ch. 10.13. and Luke saith, Ch. 18.15. they were brought that he should Touch them. A doubt may from this Text arise in the Readers mind, for what purpose the Parents, or Nurses did bring these young Children to Christ. It was not for Baptism, for he Baptized none himself, Ioh. 4.2. It is not like it was for Healing, for tho our Saviour in such Cases did sometimes Touch, or lay his Hand upon the sick Persons; yet it is not likely, that in that Case the Disciples would have rebuked them, knowing that their Master used to heal such as were brought to him. It must therefore unquestionably be, that he might Bless them, Matthew here saith that he might put his Hands on them and pray. The putting of Hands upon Persons, when they Blessed them, or Prayed for a Blessing on Persons, was a very usual Rite and Custom amongst the Iews. Without all Contradiction (saith the Apostle, Heb. 7.7. The lesser was Blessed of the greater.) It was a Custom amongst the Iews to bring Persons, to those whom they lookt upon as Excelling in Holiness, to be blessed and commended to God by their Prayers, Gen. 27.4, & 48.14. The Parents, or Nurses of these Children by this Act declared, that they looked upon Christ as some great Prophet, in Favour with God; and whose Prayers could prevail with God, and whose Blessing was considerable as to these little ones. The Disciples rebuked them: as thinking they were too troublesome to their Ma[illegible: 2 letters]er, and not understanding what Children in Health had to do with their Master, nor perhaps having before seen such a President.