Mark 10:15 Meaning and Explanation
“Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Context of Mark 10:15
After welcoming the children the disciples had turned away, Jesus uses them as a picture of how anyone must receive the kingdom of God in order to enter it.
What Does Mark 10:15 Mean?
Mark 10:15 sets the condition for entering God's kingdom: it must be received like a little child, with humble trust and openness. Jesus speaks this solemn word right after welcoming the children the disciples had turned away.
He opens with "Verily I say unto you," a phrase that signals a weighty, certain truth. The heart of it is the comparison: receiving the kingdom "as a little child." A child does not earn its place in the family or come with achievements to present; it simply receives what is given with trust and dependence. So the kingdom of God is not seized by the proud, the self-sufficient, or those who think they have earned it. It is received as a gift by those willing to come empty-handed and trusting. The warning is just as clear: whoever will not come this way "shall not enter therein." Jesus is asking for childlikeness, the humble, open posture of one who knows they need what only God can give. This verse strips away every pretense of self-made standing before God and points to a doorway low enough that only the humble can pass through it.
Mark 10:15 in the Original Language
The Greek "dechomai" (receive) means to accept or welcome what is offered. "Paidion" means a little child, the model of trusting reception.
Bible Verses Related to Mark 10:15
“Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in no wise enter therein.”
- Luke 18:17
“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
- Matthew 18:4
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
- James 4:6
How to Apply Mark 10:15 Today
We enter God's kingdom not by self-achievement but by coming humbly and trustingly, receiving His gift like a dependent child.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 10:15
What does Mark 10:15 mean?
Mark 10:15 sets the condition for entering God's kingdom: it must be received like a little child, with humble trust and openness. Jesus speaks this solemn word right after welcoming the children the disciples had turned away.
What is the context of Mark 10:15?
After welcoming the children the disciples had turned away, Jesus uses them as a picture of how anyone must receive the kingdom of God in order to enter it.
How can I apply Mark 10:15 today?
We enter God's kingdom not by self-achievement but by coming humbly and trustingly, receiving His gift like a dependent child.