In these children who were brought to Him that He might bless them He saw the future men and women who should be heirs of His grace and subjects of His kingdom, and some of whom would become martyrs for His name’s sake. Certain unsympathizing disciples commanded that the children be taken away, lest they should trouble the Master; but as they were turning away in sadness, Christ rebuked His followers, saying: “Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” {4T 142.1}

(142) I disse børn, som blev bragt til ham, så han kunne velsigne dem, så de fremtidige mænd og kvinder, som arvinger af hans nåde og borgere i hans rige og nogle af dem, der ville blive til martyrer for hans navns skyld. Nogle uforstående disciple befalede at børnene skulle tages bort, så de ikke skulle forstyrre Mesteren; men idet de vendte bedrøvede bort, irettesatte Kristus sine efterfølgere og sagde: »Lad de små børn komme til mig; dem må I ikke hindre, thi Guds rige hører sådanne til."