Year B, Proper 22 (27) - Let the Children Come

Year B, Proper 22 (27), Revised Common Lectionary

Rembrandt: Suffer little children to come unto me

There is a lot to be seen in this early Rembrandt painting. The master storyteller tells his story with many precious details.

Jesus is surrounded by a large crowd of people who are all looking at him with meaningful glances – except for the three children at the front, who are conducting their own private chat. One is critical, another pulls his neck forward as far as possible. The women are looking at Jesus with approval, together forming a swaying row to the front (the baby is probably a little girl also). The distinguished gentleman on the left is looking down at a seated Jesus with a child on his knee. Jesus places his hands on the head and heart of the boy and raises his eyes imploringly. The baby prefers Jesus to her mother.

Probably this painting also implies a plea for infant baptism. The children in any case experience this event very seriously, especially the boy in the middle who points the girl next to him to the baby, who is also allowed to come to Jesus. 

Marleen Hengelaar-Rookmaaker

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Rembrandt: Suffer little children to come unto me, 1620s, oil on canvas, 122 x 104 cm.

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Year B, Proper 22 (27), Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Revised Common Lectionary

Scripture readings: Job 1:1, 2:1-10, Psalm 8, Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12 Mark 10:1-16