"Suffer the little children."

[AniaSM]

What does this saying mean? Doesn't "Suffer" mean "Tolerate"? I know this question has been asked once before on Answerbank but no one really gave a satisfying answer.

[dundurn]

It means "allow", "permit", so "let the children through". The whole phrase, "suffer the little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven" means "let the little children through to me because heaven is filled with people as innocent and childlike as they are".

[terambulan]

Suffer little children to come unto me for they shall inherit...... etc

It means the christian faith is open to all.

[Count_Emmup]

What does this saying mean? Doesn't "Suffer" mean "Tolerate"? I know this question has been asked once before on Answerbank but no one really gave a satisfying answer.

If you substitute "Allow " for "Suffer" the text makes more sense.

[Count_Emmup]

Sorry - just spotted first definition in # 1!

[kempie]

Are these answers as unsatisfying as the previous thread?

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Phrases-and-Say ings/Question318569.html