What Does the Bible Say About Become Like Children?

Matthew 18:3 ESV / 13 helpful votes

And said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 10:13-16 ESV / 7 helpful votes

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Ephesians 6:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 14:20 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

Luke 18:15-17 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Mark 10:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

1 Peter 2:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

Mark 13:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death.

Mark 9:37 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

Matthew 21:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant,

Matthew 18:3-4 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 17:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.

Matthew 15:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Psalm 127:3-5 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

John 6:9-10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number.

Luke 1:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.

Mark 10:14-16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Mark 9:34-37 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

Mark 5:41-42 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.

Matthew 19:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 18:1-4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Isaiah 9:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;

Psalm 127:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Psalm 51:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

2 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 1:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

Ephesians 6:1-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Acts 2:38 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 1:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

Luke 18:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Luke 18:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

Luke 18:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

Luke 2:52 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Luke 2:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 1:41-44 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

Mark 16:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Matthew 21:15-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?”

Matthew 19:13-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away.

Matthew 18:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 18:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:2-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matthew 18:1-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, ...

Isaiah 20:1-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In the year that the commander in chief, who was sent by Sargon the king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and fought against it and captured it— at that time the Lord spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and loose the sackcloth from your waist and take off your sandals from your feet,” and he did so, walking naked and barefoot. Then the Lord said, “As my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and a portent against Egypt and Cush, so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptian captives and the Cushite exiles, both the young and the old, naked and barefoot, with buttocks uncovered, the nakedness of Egypt. Then they shall be dismayed and ashamed because of Cush their hope and of Egypt their boast. ...

Proverbs 29:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.

Proverbs 22:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

Proverbs 20:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.

Proverbs 17:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.

Proverbs 13:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

Psalm 113:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!

Psalm 103:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children,

Psalm 34:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Psalm 8:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.

Job 1:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

2 Chronicles 34:1-3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father; and he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet a boy, he began to seek the God of David his father, and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, and the carved and the metal images.

2 Samuel 12:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground.

1 Samuel 3:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”

Leviticus 19:32 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.

Exodus 20:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

Genesis 33:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And when Esau lifted up his eyes and saw the women and children, he said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”

63 Bible Verses about Become Like Children

Matthew 18:3 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 10:13-16 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:4 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 14:20 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 18:15-17 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 10:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 2:2 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 13:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 9:37 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 21:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:3-4 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 17:18 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 15:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 127:3-5 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 6:9-10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 1:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 10:14-16 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 9:34-37 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 5:41-42 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 19:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:1-4 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 9:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 12:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 127:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 51:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 1:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:1-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 2:38 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 1:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 18:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 18:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 18:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 2:52 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 2:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 1:41-44 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 16:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 21:15-16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 19:13-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:2-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:1-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 20:1-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 29:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 20:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 17:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 13:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 113:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 103:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 34:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 8:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 1:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Chronicles 34:1-3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Samuel 12:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Samuel 3:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Leviticus 19:32 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Leviticus 19:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 20:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 33:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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