People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Luke 18:15-17)

The King James version of the Bible translates the Greek as "Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."

The meaning of suffer has changed since 1611 but otherwise this is a more accurate translation of the original Greek than the contemporary translation shown above.

The Greek translated as belongs is eimi which can mean to become, to exist, to happen, or to be present. But to belong is a stretch.

When I read "belong" I think of something external that is under the authority of the owner. The Greek suggests something internal to the children that defines their fundamental nature.

For the little children the kingdom of God is present, as it is present for us all. The little children accept, receive, recognize this reality.