[Greek] κωλύω (kōluō), [Latin] prohibere, [Latin] vetare, [Latin] adverrere, [Latin] averrere: to forbid, to hinder, to keep from, to withstand, to stop, to prohibit; Mt.19:14, Mk.9:38,39, Mk.10:14, Lk.6:29,49-50, Lk.11:52, Lk.18:16, Lk.23:2, Acts 8:36, Acts 10:47, Acts 11:17, Acts 16:6, Acts 24:23, Acts 27:43, Rom.1:13, 1Cor. 14:39, 1Thess.2:16, Heb.7:23, 2Pet.2:16, 3Jn.1:10
Suffer Little Children Come to Me: painting by Rembrandt (1620).
Background information:
Suffer Little Children Come to Me: Suffer is an archaic word meaning to allow or to permit. In Mt. 19:14, the disciples were troubled by the fact that the children were brought to Jesus. In response, Jesus instructs them not to prevent the children from coming to Him. Jesus was essentially saying, “Allow this to happen.” The word suffer can then take on a wide range of meanings from allowing, permitting, bearing, enduring, and suffering. This painting also includes a self portrait of a young Rembrandt and of his mother.
Greek Hellenism: This term means to keep from, to prevent, to hinder, to not allow, and keep away from. Euripides’ Alcestis 897 states “Why did you keep me from throwing myself into the open grave and lying with their died with her? Hades would have had the two most faithful souls instead of one.” Euripides’ Ion 391 states “But I must let this go, if I am prevented by the god from learning what I wish.” Xenophon’s Cyropaedia 1.3.11 states “And I would keep that up until I tormented him, just as he torments me by keep me keep me away from him.” Xenophon’s Anabasis 4.5.20 states “Xenophon directed them to see what the hindrance was.”
Old Testament: This term means to restrict, to hold back, to withdraw, to depart, to refrain, to maintain, and to retreat. None of us will refuse you his grace for burying your dead (Gen.23:6). Moses, my lord, restrain them (Num.11:28). Don’t hold them back (Isa.43:6). Evil will not depart from his house (Pro.17:13). My loving kindness will not be removed from you (Isa.54:10). Keep your feet from their path (Pro.1:15). Who can refrain from speaking? (Job 4:2). The plague was stayed (Psa.106.30). He brought back all the goods (Gen.14:16).
New Testament: This term means to prevent, to withhold, to oppose, and to oppress. In responding to the disciples’ objections, Jesus tells them not to prevent the children from coming to Him. Jesus states one must have tolerance for other exorcists. The Jewish scholars and Pharisees have taken away the key of knowledge through their opposition and obfuscation of the knowledge of the Messiah. The Jewish assembly accuses Jesus for opposing the payment of taxes to Caesar. The Holy Spirit had prevented Paul from preaching in the province of Asia. Paul was prevented from coming to Rome. Paul states that the Jews had been trying to prevent him from speaking to the Gentiles. In contrast to Jesus’ eternal priesthood, there were many priests prevented by death from remaining in office.
Scripture:
“But Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to Me, and do not prevent them’ for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”Mt.19:14
The disciples try to prevent the children from coming to Jesus. We all must me like little children (having trust) toward our Father in heaven.
“Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” Lk.11:52
The scholars and Pharisees have opposed and obfuscated the true knowledge of the Messiah.
“Those priests were many because they were prevented by death from remaining in office, but He, because He remains forever, has a priesthood that does not pass away.” Heb. 7:23
Jesus has an eternal priesthood in contrast to the succession of priests in office.
Etymology: The Latin verb prohibere comes from holding (-habere) away (pro-). The Latin verb vetare means to forbid. In ancient Rome, a tribune, a group of elected officials, was created as a a check on the authority of the senate and magistrates. A tribune’s veto power was sancrasanct. The Latin verb averrere means to take away. The Latin verb adverrere means to sweep over. Averse is something harmful. Adverse is a strong feeling of dislike. Adverse is the past participle of advertere, to turn toward. An advertisement is something that calls one’s attention to.
Conclusion:
Prohibit, prohibition, adverse, averse, veto, advertise, advertisement.
This is one of those term which could be applicable in any time in history. Used both actively and passively, this term illustrates human behavior. Eripides’ Ion provides insight that man was often guided by the gods. Xenophon’s Anabasis introduces the notion of a hindrance preventing or obstructing oneself.
This term, extensively used in the Old Testament, also conveys more nuanced meanings. Such examples include withdrawing, holding back, maintaining, and removing.
I will try to prevent myself from repeating my self in regards to the New Testament. It is interesting that suffering can include a broad spectrum of meanings from permitting, tolerating, bearing, enduring, and actual suffering.
The painting also includes a self portrait of the young Rembrandt and of his mother.
Update: I will also be brief here. I will just focus on few aspects that Democrats, Progressives and the left are refusing to do or preventing from happening.
Lack of bipartisan legislation: This legislation is so bad that they cannot get the support of Republicans and Conservatives.
Photo Id for voting: They still oppose this even when many Americans and many nations already support this.
Immigration crisis: This administration refuses to acknowledge a problem and refuses to provide transparency.
God forbid, I pray that our nation can survive these disasters!