And embracing them, He laid His hands on them and blessed them.
This episode reveals Christ’s tender, personal, and fatherly love toward little ones. He not only defends the children with words against the disciples’ mistaken prohibition, but also confirms by His action that they are acceptable before Him. Embracing the children shows the Lord’s gracious welcome, closeness, and the warm favor with which He receives those considered insignificant in human eyes. Laying His hands on them is a sign of blessing, by which Jesus declares that little ones too share in His grace and are included within the care of the kingdom of God.