Topical Bible: Good Children: Children in the Temple

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Topical Encyclopedia

The presence and actions of children in the temple hold significant meaning within the biblical narrative, illustrating themes of innocence, praise, and the fulfillment of prophecy. The account of children in the temple is most notably recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, where their actions are highlighted during a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry.

Biblical Account

In Matthew 21:12-16, Jesus enters the temple in Jerusalem and drives out those who were buying and selling, overturning the tables of the money changers. This act of cleansing the temple is followed by the healing of the blind and the lame who came to Him there. Amidst these events, the children in the temple play a crucial role. Matthew 21:15-16 states: "But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonders He performed and the children shouting in the temple courts, 'Hosanna to the Son of David,' they were indignant and asked Him, 'Do You hear what these children are saying?' 'Yes,' Jesus answered. 'Have you never read: "From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise"?'"

Theological Significance

The children's cries of "Hosanna to the Son of David" are significant for several reasons. Firstly, they recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the promised descendant of David, fulfilling the messianic expectations rooted in the Old Testament. Their proclamation echoes the praises sung during Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, as recorded earlier in Matthew 21:9.

Secondly, Jesus' response to the indignant religious leaders underscores the divine ordination of praise from the mouths of children. By quoting Psalm 8:2, "From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise," Jesus affirms the purity and sincerity of the children's worship. This reference to the Psalms highlights the biblical theme that God often chooses the humble and the seemingly insignificant to reveal His truth and glory.

Symbolism and Lessons

The presence of children in the temple serves as a powerful symbol of innocence and purity. In a place where corruption and exploitation had taken root, the children's praises stand in stark contrast, embodying genuine worship and acknowledgment of Jesus' divine authority. Their actions remind believers of the importance of childlike faith, as Jesus Himself taught in Matthew 18:3 : "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Furthermore, the children's role in the temple narrative challenges the religious leaders' authority and understanding. Their inability to recognize the significance of the children's praises highlights their spiritual blindness and resistance to Jesus' messianic identity. In contrast, the children, in their simplicity, perceive and proclaim the truth of who Jesus is.

Conclusion

The account of children in the temple is a profound illustration of how God uses the humble and pure-hearted to declare His truth. Their praises not only affirm Jesus' identity as the Messiah but also serve as a reminder of the value of childlike faith and the divine ordination of worship from the mouths of the innocent. Through this narrative, believers are encouraged to embrace the simplicity and sincerity of the children's example in their own expressions of faith and worship.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 21:15,16
And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Children's Bible
... <. The Children's Bible Henry A. Sherman. ... THE STORY OF CREATION. GOD'S GOOD
GIFTS TO MAN. ... BUILDING A GREAT TEMPLE. A RULER WHO WRONGED HIS PEOPLE. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/

The Building of the Golden House.
... to God and asked him to take the temple for his ... and kneeling down, he prayed that
wherever the children of Israel ... the Lord, saying, "For He is good, and His ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxvi the building of.htm

Abraham --The Father of the Faithful.
... gave the boy a drink, and God took good care of ... worshipped idols, and sometimes killed
their own children as a ... to the very rock upon which the temple was built ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter iii abrahamthe father of.htm

Child's Story of the Bible
... CHAPTER XXIX. AT THE HOUSE OF MARTHA--THE GOOD SHEPHERD. CHAPTER XXX. ... THE PRINCE
OF PEACE. CHAPTER XXXV. THE CHILDREN IN THE TEMPLE. CHAPTER XXXVI. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lathbury/childs story of the bible/

Samuel the Boy Prophet
... blessed Elkanah and said, "Jehovah repay you with children from this ... the boy Samuel
grew up in the temple of Jehovah ... No, my sons: it is not a good report that I ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/samuel the boy prophet.htm

The Millennium in Relation to Israel.
... there shall they lie in a good fold, and ... they, and their children, and their children's
children for ever ... Furthermore, the Temple itself will be re-built, built ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/4 the millennium in relation.htm

The New Temple and Its Worship
... And the children of Israel, which were come again out of ... two prophets did more for
building the Temple by their ... man to handle a trowel; but no good work will ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the new temple and its.htm

Jesus Condemns those who Pretend to be Good
The Children's Bible. ... THE NEW TESTAMENT JESUS CONDEMNS THOSE WHO PRETEND TO BE GOOD. ...
For you carefully pay to the Temple the tenth part of what grows in your ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jesus condemns those who pretend.htm

God's Family.
... The temple could do nothing to deliver them; but, by their very futility, its ... in
this part of it, the earth, at least, are not good children; but however far ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/hope of the gospel/gods family.htm

After This, Pilate Going into the Temple of the Jews...
... We have been adjured by thee, O good judge, by ... seventy years; from the coming of
the children of Israel ... of Egypt to the building of the temple, five hundred ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 12 28 after this.htm