Bible Verses About Children

Children are a heritage from the Lord. These verses about children celebrate them as a blessing and a sacred trust.

“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” — Psalm 127:3 (KJV)

Part of a psalm arguing that a house or a city guarded without divine blessing comes to nothing, this line places children in that same category, a gift rather than an achievement. It reframes a child as received, not produced.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” — Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)

Ancient Hebrew wisdom here likely points to shaping instruction around a child's own particular bent, not a single formula applied to every child alike. It encourages attentiveness to who a specific child is, rather than a guaranteed formula for outcomes.

“But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 19:14 (KJV)

Suffer little children to come unto me — said while the disciples were turning parents away. The rebuke is aimed at the gatekeepers, not the crowd.

“Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.” — Mark 10:15 (KJV)

Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall not enter therein. Children are made the model rather than the exception.

“As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.” — Psalm 127:4-5 (KJV)

As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are children of the youth. Arrows are made to be released, which is the part of the image usually left out.

“And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” — Isaiah 54:13 (KJV)

All thy children shall be taught of the LORD, and great shall be the peace of thy children. Promised to a city described as desolate and barren.

“Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.” — Psalm 8:2 (KJV)

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength — Jesus quotes this line when children shout in the temple. The praise of children is treated as a defence.

“For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.” — 1 Samuel 1:27-28 (KJV)

For this child I prayed, and I have lent him to the LORD — Hannah returning the son she begged for. The vow was made before he existed and kept when he was weaned.

“And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 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.” — Matthew 18:5-6 (KJV)

Whoso shall offend one of these little ones, it were better that a millstone were hanged about his neck. It is the severest warning Jesus gives about anyone.

“Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” — Proverbs 20:11 (KJV)

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure. Character is described as legible early.

“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” — Psalm 139:13-14 (KJV)

Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb; I am fearfully and wonderfully made. The psalm treats prenatal life as personally addressed.

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” — Luke 2:52 (KJV)

Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man — the only line about his childhood after the temple visit. Growth is described as normal.

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” — 3 John 1:4 (KJV)

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth — written by an old man about spiritual children. The affection is a father's regardless.

“Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.” — Matthew 18:10 (KJV)

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones, for their angels do always behold the face of my Father. Their standing is asserted rather than argued.

“Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;” — Deuteronomy 4:9 (KJV)

Teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons — with the preceding instruction to keep thy soul diligently. Personal memory is named as the thing being handed on.

“We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:” — Psalm 78:4-6 (KJV)

Shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, that the children which should be born might know them. The chain is drawn out four generations deep.

“And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.” — Mark 9:36-37 (KJV)

He took a child and set him in the midst, and said whosoever shall receive one such child receiveth me. The argument about who was greatest is answered with a child in the room.

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Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about children?

The 17 passages gathered on this page are the ones readers turn to most on children: Psalm 127:3, Proverbs 22:6, Matthew 19:14, Mark 10:15, Psalm 127:4-5, Isaiah 54:13, Psalm 8:2, 1 Samuel 1:27-28, Matthew 18:5-6, Proverbs 20:11, Psalm 139:13-14, Luke 2:52, 3 John 1:4, Matthew 18:10…

What is a good Bible verse about children?

Psalm 127:3 is the passage most often quoted on children, with Proverbs 22:6 and Matthew 19:14 close behind. Which one helps depends on whether you need reassurance, instruction or simply company.

Where can I read these children verses?

You can read all of these verses about children — and the whole Bible, offline, in your preferred translation — free in the Quiethaven app for iPhone.