Jesus Blesses the Children: Bible Story for Kids

The Empty Hands

Grace
Children
Kingdom

Bible reference:: Mark 10:13-16
Ages:: 3-10
Reading time:: 6 minutes
Pages:: 32

Jesus blesses the children - told from down at knee height, where Miriam stands in a forest of legs and elbows. The grown-ups have coins and clever words. She has nothing at all in her hands. And the disciples are quite sure the Teacher is too busy for her.

Good for: Feeling Small, When Others Are Mean

Read the full illustrated story in the app

The story arc

Four moments that carry the story. Tap any Bible reference to read the passage.

1
The Busy Crowd
Important grown-ups crowd around Jesus, trying to impress Him with money and big words.
Mark 10:13Read the Bible passage
¹³They were bringing to him little children, that he should touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who were bringing them.
Mark 10:13 (World English Bible, British Edition)
2
The Tall Wall
Miriam has nothing to offer. The disciples block her, saying the Teacher is too busy for kids.
Mark 10:13Read the Bible passage
¹³They were bringing to him little children, that he should touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who were bringing them.
Mark 10:13 (World English Bible, British Edition)
3
The King Calls
Jesus stops the crowd! He is angry at the disciples and calls the little children to come forward.
Mark 10:14Read the Bible passage
¹⁴But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation and said to them, “Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t forbid them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.
Mark 10:14 (World English Bible, British Edition)
4
The Free Gift
Jesus teaches that we don't have to earn God's love. We receive His Kingdom with empty hands!
Mark 10:15-16Read the Bible passage
¹⁵Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.” ¹⁶He took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
Mark 10:15-16 (World English Bible, British Edition)

Core truths

CHILDREN

Adults try to “buy” or earn God's love. A child knows they have to depend entirely on a parent.

THE EMPTY HANDS BADGE

Awarded for trusting that God's love is a free gift we don't have to earn.

GRACE

We don't need to be rich, perfect, or important to belong to God. He loves our empty hands.

Why it matters

Flips the script from ‘Jesus thinks kids are cute’ to a profound theological lesson on unearned grace.
Teaches children that they never have to ‘pay’ or perform to be worthy of God's love.
Visually demonstrates the Incarnation: the King of Heaven coming down to the dirt to meet us.