The "Little Ones" in Jesus' Teaching: Babes in Christ
The "Little Ones" in Jesus' Teaching: Babes in Christ
When Jesus spoke of "these little ones" in the Gospels, He was not referring to literal children at all, but rather to babes in Christ—believers who have either not been saved for long or who have not yet learned to discern between good and evil, and thus have not yet become sons of God. This article explores the meaning behind Jesus' words and why His warning about offending "these little ones" applies specifically to new or immature believers rather than to actual children.
The Key Passages
Jesus' warning about offending "little ones" appears in multiple places in the King James Version (KJV):
Matthew 18:6 :But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Mark 9:42 :And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
Luke 17:2 :It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
These passages clearly indicate that Jesus was referring to believers, not children, as He specifies "these little ones which believe in me."
The Meaning of "Little Ones"
The spiritually discerning believer understands that Jesus is referring to babes in Christ:
- Jesus often spoke in allegories and parables, ensuring that only those with the Holy Ghost would fully understand His teachings (Matthew 13:10-11).
- Babes in Christ are frequently described as "little ones" in Scripture. Paul refers to immature believers as "babes in Christ" in 1 Corinthians 3:1 (KJV):
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
- Jesus' reference to children is a metaphor for faith and trust in God. In Matthew 18:3-4, He says:
Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
This demonstrates that Jesus was not teaching about actual children but about the faith required of believers.
The Seriousness of Offending a Babe in Christ
Proverbs 18:19 (KJV) states: A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. This verse highlights that offending a fellow believer can create barriers as strong as a fortified city, making reconciliation difficult and leading to separation rather than unity.
When Jesus warns against "offending" one of these little ones, He is speaking about causing believers—especially new and immature believers—to stumble in their faith. Babes in Christ are not necessarily young in age; they are believers who have not yet developed discernment or full spiritual maturity. Some believers remain babes all their lives, while others grow into spiritual sons of God.
This aligns with the warnings against false teachers and those who corrupt the simple faith of believers:
- Matthew 23:13 (KJV): But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. - 1 Corinthians 8:9 (KJV): But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
Jesus’ warning that it would be better for a man to have a millstone hanged around his neck and be cast into the sea signifies the grave consequences of misleading or harming immature believers who are still growing in their faith.
Conclusion
- Jesus' reference to "these little ones" has nothing to do with literal children but entirely concerns believers. - A spiritual man understands that Jesus is referring to babes in Christ—believers who have not yet learned to discern between good and evil, regardless of their age. - Jesus' warning against offending these little ones is a severe judgment against those who mislead or corrupt immature believers. - Jesus speaks in allegories and parables so that only those with the Holy Ghost can fully grasp the deeper meaning. - Becoming as a child means complete trust in God, not submission to the world.
By understanding Jesus’ words with spiritual discernment, we see that He is teaching about the care and responsibility that believers must have toward those who are still growing in the faith. Those who cause these "little ones" to stumble face serious consequences, for they are interfering with the work of God in the lives of His children.