Jesus had been traveling and teaching throughout Judea across the Jordan River. “People were bringing little children to Him in order that He might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.” – they tried to restrain the children from coming near Jesus. “When Jesus saw it, he was indignant (displeased) and said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Parents in the crowd were bringing their children maybe for healing or so that He would speak a blessing over them. The disciples thought they were doing the right thing by shooing the children away. They were trying to keep Jesus available for what they thought were the bigger, more important things. They meant well. But Jesus quickly showed he was not happy with them. Jesus wanted the children to come to him. He wanted to use the children as a picture or example to show others what it is like for people to trust in him with all their hearts. Jesus wants all children to come to him. He wants to bless them and help them. He said that the people in his Kingdom were like these children. They trust him and look to him for everything.