God has a particular place in his heart for children, and Scripture makes clear how much the Lord cherishes their faith, innocence, and purity. Jesus’ affection for children is not only a lovely feeling; it also conveys a potent message that captures the essence of His kingdom.
The Bible reminds us that children are priceless gifts from God, deserving of love, care, and protection in a society that frequently ignores the smallest and most defenseless members of society.
Jesus set an example for us to follow when He accepted children into His presence: not as distractions or inconsequential people, but as essential members of God’s family. His words, “Let the little children come to me,” and His tender hug show His acceptance and compassion.
These verses serve as a reminder that God wants all of us to have faith as pure and trusting as a child’s. Children exhibit the kind of faith that allows entry into the heavenly kingdom through their humility and openness.
Examining Bible passages concerning Jesus’ love for the young children enables us to comprehend God’s views on discipleship, families, and the duty believers have to raise the next generation. It serves as a reminder of Christ’s compassion as well as a call for us to raise, guard, and lead kids in the Lord’s ways. By treating children with the same respect that Jesus did, we show His love in action and assist them in becoming obedient followers who will spread His light across the globe.
40 Inspiring Bible Verses About Jesus Loving The Little Children (2025)
1. Matthew 19:14
“But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”
In this well-known passage, Jesus rebukes His disciples for turning children away, emphasizing that the kingdom of heaven is uniquely open to those who display childlike faith, purity, and humility. Jesus’ love for children here reveals His desire for inclusivity and His call for believers to embrace the simple trust that children naturally embody. This verse reminds us that spiritual greatness is not measured by status or power but by childlike dependence on God.
2. Mark 10:16
“And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.”
This tender moment illustrates Jesus’ personal affection for children. Not only does He welcome them, but He embraces and blesses them, showing His compassion and willingness to pour divine favor over their lives. In the culture of His time, children were often overlooked, yet Jesus elevated them as worthy of His direct attention and blessing. His example urges us to treat children with dignity, love, and care, reflecting the heart of God toward the most vulnerable.
3. Luke 18:16
“But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’”
Here, Jesus not only welcomes children but makes it clear that they model the posture required to enter God’s kingdom. Their innocence, dependence, and trust mirror the spiritual qualities needed for faith. This verse powerfully rebukes any attitude that belittles children or hinders them from encountering Christ. Instead, it calls the community of faith to create environments where children can freely come to Jesus and experience His love.
4. Proverbs 22:6
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
Though not spoken by Jesus, this wisdom verse underscores the responsibility of parents and guardians to guide children in God’s truth. It highlights the formative nature of early instruction and the long-term fruit it can bear. When paired with Jesus’ loving example, this verse reminds us that nurturing children in faith is an act of aligning with Christ’s heart. A child’s early spiritual foundation, when built on love and godly teaching, shapes a life that remains anchored in God’s ways.
5. Psalm 127:3
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”
This verse positions children not as burdens but as blessings. They are divine gifts entrusted to families, carrying immeasurable value in God’s eyes. When viewed through the lens of Jesus’ interactions with children, this Psalm reinforces the truth that every child is precious, cherished, and loved by God. Recognizing children as a heritage reminds us of the sacred responsibility to raise, nurture, and protect them in environments that reflect the love of Christ.
6. Isaiah 54:13
“All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.”
This prophetic promise captures God’s desire to be the ultimate teacher of children. His instruction brings not just knowledge but peace, grounding their lives in divine truth and security. When seen alongside Jesus’ embrace of children, this verse shows that God’s love ensures children are not left to navigate life unguided. Instead, He Himself becomes their source of wisdom, stability, and peace, promising them a future that is blessed and secure in Him.
7. Deuteronomy 6:6-7
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
This passage highlights the importance of continually instilling God’s word in children. Teaching isn’t confined to formal settings; it flows naturally in daily life. Jesus demonstrated this principle by weaving spiritual truths into ordinary moments, making faith accessible to even the youngest. The verse calls parents and communities to model godly living before children, creating environments where they experience God’s love both in word and in action.
8. Matthew 18:3
“And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’”
Here, Jesus elevates children not just as recipients of love but as examples for adults. Their humility, dependence, and openness illustrate the very qualities necessary to inherit eternal life. Jesus’ teaching reverses worldly hierarchies—greatness in His kingdom is found not in power but in childlike trust. This verse challenges us to shed pride, embrace simplicity of faith, and approach God with the innocence and authenticity of children.
9. Matthew 18:5
“And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”
Jesus identifies Himself with children, declaring that the way we treat them reflects how we treat Him. This statement carries profound weight—it means every act of kindness, protection, or nurturing toward a child is an act of worship to Christ. By welcoming children, we welcome Jesus Himself into our midst. The verse compels believers to see children as sacred and to create spaces where they are valued, heard, and loved.
10. Psalm 8:2
“Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.”
This verse reveals the spiritual significance of children’s praise. Even in their innocence, God uses them as instruments of strength, establishing His power against darkness. Jesus later echoed this truth when He affirmed children’s worship in the temple. It shows that children are not spiritually passive—they are active participants in God’s kingdom. Their voices carry divine authority, silencing the enemy and bringing glory to God.
11. Ephesians 6:4
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
Paul exhorts parents, especially fathers, to avoid harshness or unreasonable demands that frustrate children. Instead, he emphasizes nurturing them with patience, love, and godly instruction. This verse echoes Jesus’ heart for children by underscoring the importance of raising them in environments where discipline and guidance are balanced with compassion. Godly parenting becomes a reflection of Christ’s own love and care for the little ones.
12. Colossians 3:21
“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”
This verse builds on the theme of gentle parenting, warning against behavior that leads to resentment in children. Jesus’ tender embrace of children stands in stark contrast to the harshness that can crush young hearts. Instead, the call is to inspire children with encouragement, patience, and love. When parents follow this guidance, they help children see God as a loving Father who builds them up rather than tears them down.
13. Matthew 21:15–16
“But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David,’ they were indignant. ‘Do you hear what these children are saying?’ they asked him. ‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, ‘have you never read, “From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise”?’”
In this powerful moment, children proclaim Jesus as Messiah, and He affirms their worship. While the religious leaders disapprove, Jesus celebrates their innocence and honesty. He highlights that even children can recognize divine truth and give glory to God. This passage shows that children are not secondary participants in faith—they are fully capable of expressing genuine worship that pleases God.
14. 3 John 1:4
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
Though referring to spiritual children in faith, this verse reflects the joy of seeing the next generation grow in God’s ways. It mirrors Jesus’ delight in children coming to Him and walking in His truth. For parents, mentors, and teachers, it is a reminder that the greatest legacy we can give is nurturing children in God’s Word so that they may live lives rooted in faith and truth.
15. Psalm 34:11
“Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.”
This Psalm portrays God’s invitation to children to come and learn from Him directly. It emphasizes the importance of reverence and obedience to the Lord from a young age. Jesus’ actions—welcoming, blessing, and teaching children—reflect the same heart expressed here. It reminds us that children are not too young to learn about God, and their early lessons in faith can shape a lifelong journey with Him.
16. Proverbs 17:6
“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”
This proverb highlights the generational blessing that children bring to families. They are a source of joy and honor, reflecting God’s favor across generations. Jesus’ love for children affirms this truth—He sees them not as burdens but as blessings that enrich the community. This verse reminds us to value children as gifts who carry the legacy of faith into the future.
17. Exodus 2:9
“Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Take this baby and nurse him for me, and I will pay you.’ So the woman took the baby and nursed him.”
This verse recounts God’s providence in protecting Moses as an infant. Though it is a story of survival, it also highlights God’s tender care for children. Jesus’ love for children carries the same truth—that God watches over the vulnerable and ensures their preservation for His purposes. Every child, like Moses, carries potential and destiny under the loving protection of God.
18. Genesis 33:5
“Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. ‘Who are these with you?’ he asked. Jacob answered, ‘They are the children God has graciously given your servant.’”
Jacob acknowledges his children as gifts from God, a reminder of their divine origin. Jesus’ teaching and actions toward children reaffirm this perspective—children are never possessions but blessings entrusted by God. This verse calls us to view children not merely in familial or social terms but as gracious gifts of God’s love.
19. Psalm 103:17
“But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children.”
This verse emphasizes the enduring nature of God’s love, extending not only to individuals but across generations. Jesus demonstrated this by blessing children and showing that God’s promises are inclusive of all ages. The faithfulness of God is not bound by time but flows from parents to children, ensuring that each generation experiences His love and righteousness.
20. Joel 2:28
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”
This prophecy highlights that children and youth are not excluded from God’s Spirit. Jesus affirmed this truth when He embraced and blessed children, acknowledging their place in the kingdom. God’s Spirit empowers even the youngest, showing that they are not overlooked in His divine plan. This verse assures us that God’s love and calling extend to children as much as to adults.
21. Psalm 139:13-14
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
This verse affirms the sanctity of every child’s life from the womb. God’s intimate involvement in forming children demonstrates their immeasurable worth. Jesus’ love for little ones echoes this truth, showing us that every child is fearfully and wonderfully made with divine purpose.
22. Isaiah 40:11
“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”
God is portrayed here as a gentle shepherd who tenderly carries His little lambs. This imagery is perfectly fulfilled in Jesus’ embrace of children, holding them with love and blessing. It reminds us that children are never far from the heart of God, but always held securely in His care.
23. Matthew 11:25
“At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.’”
Jesus celebrates the spiritual openness of children, noting that divine truths are revealed to them in ways the proud and self-sufficient cannot grasp. Their humility and purity of heart make them recipients of God’s revelation. This verse reminds us of the special place children hold in God’s kingdom.
24. 1 Samuel 1:27-28
“I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.”
Hannah’s dedication of Samuel demonstrates both gratitude and surrender. She acknowledges her child as a gift from God and entrusts him back into God’s service. This mirrors Jesus’ welcome of children as belonging fully to God and as vital parts of His kingdom.
25. Lamentations 3:25-26
“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
Though often applied to adults, this verse reflects the attitude of children, who wait in trust and hope. Jesus often praised such childlike faith, pointing to it as the model for all believers. The verse reminds us that children embody the patience and dependence that pleases God.
26. Psalm 78:4
“We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.”
This verse emphasizes passing on the knowledge of God’s works to children. Jesus’ teaching ministry reflects this principle as He ensured that children were welcomed into the hearing and experiencing of God’s Word. Faith is not to be hoarded but shared across generations.
27. Isaiah 11:6
“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.”
This prophecy paints a vision of peace in God’s kingdom where even children play a central role. A child is pictured as a leader in this harmonious future, reflecting God’s esteem for the innocence and guidance children can bring. Jesus’ highlighting of children points to this divine reality.
28. Psalm 113:9
“He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord.”
This verse testifies to God’s blessing in providing children where there was once barrenness. It underscores that children are gifts of joy and fulfillment from God. Jesus’s embrace of children mirrors the heart of God, who delights in filling homes with laughter and life.
29. Matthew 18:10
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”
Jesus warns against mistreating or looking down on children, affirming their heavenly protection. He reveals that children have angels who stand before God, reflecting their special place in His presence. This verse calls for reverence, care, and respect for every child.
30. Psalm 115:14
“May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children.”
This blessing captures God’s desire to see not only individuals but their children thrive under His favor. Jesus’ ministry demonstrated this heart, as He blessed families by embracing the youngest among them. It is a reminder that God’s love is generational, reaching into the lives of children for their flourishing.
31. James 1:27
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
James emphasizes that true faith is demonstrated through compassion, especially toward the most vulnerable. Orphans, like children without care, are close to God’s heart. This aligns with Jesus’ love for children, showing that caring for them is central to living out genuine faith.
32. Proverbs 20:11
“Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?”
This proverb points to the reality that even children reveal character through their behavior. It highlights the importance of guiding children in the right path early. Jesus’ teaching about childlike purity underscores the value of nurturing integrity and goodness in the young.
33. Zechariah 8:5
“The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”
This prophecy envisions a restored community where children are safe, joyful, and thriving. Their presence symbolizes peace and blessing. In the same way, Jesus welcomed children as signs of God’s kingdom breaking into the world.
34. Psalm 144:12
“Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace.”
This verse uses imagery of strength and beauty to describe children as blessings to their families and communities. Sons and daughters are portrayed as flourishing under God’s care, reflecting growth, stability, and honor.
35. Genesis 17:7
“I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.”
God’s covenant with Abraham includes not only him but his children and future generations. This shows God’s ongoing commitment to bless and guide children. Jesus’ ministry affirms that children are heirs to the same promises of God’s kingdom.
36. Exodus 20:12
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
The fifth commandment highlights the family bond and calls children to honor their parents. It demonstrates the importance of mutual respect and love within families, which Jesus also emphasized in His teaching about relationships.
37. Deuteronomy 30:19
“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”
This verse underscores the generational impact of choices. Parents’ decisions to follow God directly affect their children. Jesus’ welcome of children reflects God’s heart for life, blessing, and continuity across families.
38. Joshua 24:15
“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua’s declaration is a call for families to collectively serve God. It shows the importance of leading children into faith as a family commitment. Jesus affirmed this truth when He included children as central participants in God’s kingdom.
39. Proverbs 23:24
“The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.”
This verse celebrates the joy parents experience when children grow in righteousness and wisdom. It reflects the deep connection between parental guidance and a child’s spiritual growth. Jesus’ teaching reinforces the importance of raising children to walk in God’s ways.
40. Isaiah 49:15
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!”
This verse illustrates God’s unwavering love for His people by comparing it to a mother’s love for her child. Even if human love falters, God’s love for His children never fails. Jesus’ embrace of little ones reflects this same unbreakable commitment.
Conclusion
In addition to being a blessing, children are also living examples of the kind of faith that God wants from His people, according to the Bible. Jesus’ deliberate and heartfelt affection for the tiny ones serves as a reminder that they are the ones who belong in the kingdom of heaven. He demonstrated to the world that no one is too little or unimportant to be loved by His embrace of children. As we consider these passages, we are obligated to treat children with the same kindness, decency, and regard that Christ demonstrated.
In the end, valuing children as Jesus did changes the way we think about community, faith, and family. It pushes us to foster their spiritual development, guard their purity, and lead them in the Lord’s ways. In addition to honoring Christ’s teachings, we lay the groundwork for the future generation of Christians when we show youngsters how to love. We are reminded of Jesus’ call to approach Him with innocent delight, trust, and confidence when we celebrate His love for the little children.
