OET interlinear LUKE 18:15

18:15a

Now: The event in this section may not have happened during the same time period as the preceding section. Luke may have told about it here because it illustrated what Jesus taught in that section. Luke introduces this event with a Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as Now to indicate that this verse part provides background information. In some languages it may be natural to begin this section with a general time phrase. For example:

One day (NLT)

people were even bringing: The Greek word that the BSB translates as people were…bringing is more literally “they were bringing.” The RSV and several other English versions translate it that way. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply a general subject that includes both men and women. For example:

some parents (NLT)

Some people (GW)

even…their babies to Jesus: The common Greek word that the BSB translates as even here probably emphasizes babies.This word is kai. Several versions translate it here as “even,” including the BSB, NJB, RSV, NASB, NET, and NCV. Other versions, including NIV, KJV, GNT, REB, CEV, and GW, do not translate with “even.” A number of commentators mention the emphatic nature of kai here. For example, Johnson (p. 275) says, “Luke uses brephe (‘infants’) and the kai is emphatic (perhaps because of this word choice).” Nolland (p. 881) says, “Jesus welcomes infants and challenges all to receive the preaching of the kingdom of God in a childlike manner….Luke makes the Markan point yet more extreme…by adding kai, ‘even’.” Green says, “Luke’s phrase ‘even infants’ draws attention to the particular vulnerability of the smallest of children, perhaps accounting for the widespread practice of infanticide and child abandonment—and, thus, for the suitability of the infant as a particularly effective example of the lowliness accented in verses 9–14.” A few commentators, including Arndt (p. 381) and Reiling and Swellengrebel (pp. 602–603), mention that the kai could imply “also, in addition to sick people.” This seems more unlikely, since sick people are not mentioned in the near context. The babies were another group of humble people like the tax collector in 18:9–14. Jesus welcomed even babies, who had no status in the society. Another way to translate this emphasis in English is:

they were bringing even infants to him (RSV)

In some languages the emphasis may be difficult to translate or it may imply a wrong meaning. If that is true in your language, you may choose not to translate this word. For example:

Some people brought their babies to Jesus (GNT)

their babies: The Greek word that the BSB translates as babies refers to infants or very young children. It was normally used of children who still needed their parents to carry them. However, it could include other young children as well.

18:15b

for Him to place His hands on them: The phrase for Him to place His hands on them tells the purpose for the people bringing children to Jesus. Other ways to translate this purpose are:

for him to touch (REB)

so he could touch them (NCV)

In this context place…hands on is a symbolic action. It refers to giving a blessing. In Jewish culture, parents often brought a young child to a religious leader so that he could bless the child. When the leader gave the blessing, he would place his hands on the child’s head and pray for him.Jewish leaders usually touched people on the head when they prayed that God would bless them.

In some areas people may not understand the special meaning of the phrase place His hands on in this context. If that is true in your area, some other ways to translate it are:

• Translate the action and make the meaning explicit. For example:

  to touch them and bless them

  to put his hand on their heads and ask God to be good/kind to them

• Translate only the meaning of the action. For example:

  to bless them

  to give them God’s/his blessing

  to ask God to favor them

For more information, see bless, Meaning 1, in the Glossary.

18:15c

And when the disciples saw this: The word this refers to people bringing little children to Jesus. Other ways to translate the clause are:

But when his disciples saw them doing this (CEV)

when the disciples saw them (REB)

18:15d

they rebuked those who brought them: The phrase they rebuked those who brought them indicates that Jesus’ disciples spoke sternly to the parents. They told them that they should not bring their babies to Jesus. For example:

they told them to stop (NCV)

they told the people not to do that (GW)

In some languages it may be more natural to use direct speech here. For example:

…but the disciples said to the parents, “Do not bring the children/babies to him.”