And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
And they brought unto him also infants, х ta (G3588) brefee (G1025)]. This shows that some, at least, of those called "little" or "young children" in Matthew 19:13, and Mark 10:13, were literally "babes."
That he would touch them - or, as more fully given in Matthew, "that He should put his hands on them and pray," that is, invoke a blessing on them (Mark 10:16); according to venerable custom (Genesis 48:14-15).
But when his disciples saw it, they 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. (Matthew 15:23, etc.; Luke 18:39-40.) Here, it is plain from our Lord's reply, that they thought the intrusion a useless one, since infants were not capable of receiving anything from Him-His ministrations were for grown people.