Today's Gospel in Art - Let the little children come to me

Christ Blessing the Children, by Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1537 © Wawel Royal Castle, Kraków, Poland

Gospel of 17th August 2019 - Matthew 19: 13-15

People brought little children to Jesus, for him to lay his hands on them and say a prayer. The disciples turned them away, but Jesus said, 'Let the little children alone, and do not stop them coming to me; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.' Then he laid his hands on them and went on his way.

Reflection on the Painting

The painting depicts today's Gospel reading where we hear of several women wishing to bring their children to Christ to have them blessed, and are turned away by the Apostles, but Christ rebukes them. From the 1530s Cranach's workshop produced various versions of this painting in large numbers over a long period. More than 20 versions of this painting have survived! We see the apostles in the top left corner, after having been rebuked. Jesus is the central figure, the focus.

Lucas Cranach the Elder occupies a unique and pivotal position in art history, as the artist who gave visual expression to the Reformation. He was a close, personal friend of Martin Luther. To read on see: www.christianart.today/daily-gospel-reading/145