At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus isn't just thanking God that some wise people are kept in the dark, but that God's wisdom deliberately conceals the deepest truths from those who rely on their own intellect, while revealing them to those who approach God with humble, childlike trust. This highlights that spiritual understanding isn't earned through intellect, but freely given to the teachable heart.
At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just pronounced woes upon the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their unbelief despite witnessing His mighty works, highlighting their rejection of Him. In response to this general resistance and the disciples' report of spiritual success among others, Jesus offers a prayer of thanksgiving, exalting God's sovereign choice in revealing His kingdom. He contrasts the proud intellectualism that often blinds people with the humble openness of "little children" to God's truth, setting the stage for His invitation to find rest in Him.
Why would Jesus thank God for hiding vital truths from people considered wise? It seems counterintuitive, doesn't it?
When Jesus thanks God for hiding "these things" from the "wise and understanding," he's not criticizing intelligence itself. The 'wise' he refers to are those who rely on their own intellect and worldly wisdom, often becoming proud and closed off to spiritual truths. Their 'wisdom' becomes a barrier because they are too self-assured to seek divine revelation.
The Pride of Human Wisdom
A Barrier, Not an Asset
Jesus says God reveals things to 'babes' or 'little children.' What does this childlike openness mean for us today?
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The 'little children' or 'babes' Jesus mentions aren't necessarily literal children, but those who possess a childlike spirit. This quality is characterized by humility, teachability, and a sincere dependence on God.
The Heart of a Child
Receiving God's Mysteries
Jesus' thanksgiving here isn't just politeness; it's a profound statement of trust in God's ultimate control.
Jesus' prayer of thanksgiving, calling God 'Lord of heaven and earth,' isn't just a pleasant formality. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty and authority over all things, including who understands His divine mysteries.
God's Absolute Authority
Acquiescence in Divine Will
Understand the original words
sophos · Greek Adjective
Those who are self-sufficient, relying on human intellect, worldly wisdom, or religious status rather than divine revelation. They are often blinded by their own perceived sufficiency.
nēpios · Greek Noun/Adjective
Those who are spiritually humble, dependent, and receptive, lacking worldly prestige or self-reliance. They represent the posture of faith necessary to receive the mysteries of God's Kingdom.
This prayer of thanksgiving occurs in the context of Jesus' ministry facing significant rejection, especially from the learned and respected religious leaders. It highlights His perspective: God's wisdom is not always recognized by the intellectually proud but is grasped by the humble, the 'little children' who rely on God.
c. AD 27
Jesus begins public ministry
Jesus begins His public ministry in Galilee, teaching, healing, and calling disciples. This period is marked by growing crowds but also increasing opposition from religious leaders.
c. AD 28
John the Baptist's doubt
John the Baptist, imprisoned, sends messengers to Jesus asking if He is the promised Messiah. Jesus responds by pointing to His miracles and ministry to the poor, contrasting it with the failure of many 'wise' to understand.
c. AD 28— this verse
Jesus upbraids unrepentant cities
Jesus laments the lack of repentance in cities like Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, where He performed many miracles. He pronounces judgment on them for their unbelief.
c. AD 28
Jesus rejoices in the Father's will
In response to the rejection by many and the limited understanding of His message by the 'wise,' Jesus expresses joy and gratitude to the Father for revealing His kingdom's truths to the humble and simple ('babes').
c. AD 28
Jesus reveals the path to rest
Following His thanksgiving, Jesus offers rest to all who labor and are burdened, inviting them to learn from His meekness and lowliness of heart, contrasting with the pride of the 'wise.'
This passage echoes Jesus' sentiment, highlighting that God often chooses those considered foolish or weak by the world to confound the wise and strong, revealing His power through unlikely vessels.
Deuteronomy 29:2-4Here, Moses recounts how God deliberately withheld understanding from the Israelites regarding their miraculous exodus, emphasizing God's sovereign choice in revealing His ways, similar to Jesus' prayer in Matthew 11.
Psalm 131:1-2This psalm speaks of a humble, childlike heart that does not strive for great things or things too high for it, reflecting the disposition Jesus associates with those to whom God reveals His truths.
Luke 10:21-22This parallel passage, spoken by Jesus around the same time, directly links His thanksgiving to the revelation of God's kingdom to the simple and the hiddenness of these truths from the seemingly wise, reinforcing the theme.
vincentMatthew 11:25: "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes."
AnsweredIn reply to something which is not stated.I thank (ἐξομολογοῦμαι)Compare Matthew 3:6, of confessing sins. Lit., I confess. I recognize the justice and wisdom of thy doings. But with the dative, as here (σοι, to thee), it means to praise, with an undercurrent of acknowledgment; to confes…
calvinMatthew 11:25-30: "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes."
- At that time Jesus answering said, I acknowledge to thee, [56] O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little children. 26. Undoubtedly, O Father, such was thy good pleasure. [57] 27. All things have been deli…
Jesus isn't just thanking God that some wise people are kept in the dark, but that God's wisdom deliberately conceals the deepest truths from those who rely on their own intellect, while revealing them to those who approach God with humble, childlike trust. This highlights that spiritual understanding isn't earned through intellect, but freely given to the teachable heart.
Jesus has just pronounced woes upon the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their unbelief despite witnessing His mighty works, highlighting their rejection of Him. In response to this general resistance and the disciples' report of spiritual success among others, Jesus offers a prayer of thanksgiving, exalting God's sovereign choice in revealing His kingdom. He contrasts the proud intellectualism that often blinds people with the humble openness of "little children" to God's truth, setting the stage for His invitation to find rest in Him.
Jesus has just pronounced woes upon the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their unbelief despite witnessing His mighty works, highlighting their rejection of Him. In response to this general resistance and the disciples' report of spiritual success among others, Jesus offers a prayer of thanksgiving, exalting God's sovereign choice in revealing His kingdom. He contrasts the proud intellectualism that often blinds people with the humble openness of "little children" to God's truth, setting the stage for His invitation to find rest in Him.
"At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;" — Jesus isn't just thanking God that some wise people are kept in the dark, but that God's wisdom deliberately conceals the deepest truths from those who rely on their own intellect, while revealin…
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Last reviewed October 2026