Matthew 11:25-26
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Jesus' prayer isn't just about gratitude for revelation; it's a profound acknowledgement of God's sovereign choice. He praises the Father not because the "wise" failed to understand, but precisely because God deliberately hid the mysteries of the kingdom from them, choosing instead to reveal them to those considered insignificant by the world. This highlights that divine understanding isn't earned by intellect but granted by God's will to the humble.
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; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is responding to the rejection He's faced from the proud and intellectually arrogant cities where He performed many miracles, contrasted with the receptive hearts of simpler people. He begins a prayer of thanksgiving to God, acknowledging that divine wisdom is often hidden from those who trust their own understanding and revealed instead to those with humble, childlike faith. This prayer transitions into a broader revelation about knowing God and finding true rest in Jesus, especially for the weary and burdened.
Why would God intentionally hide profound truths from those considered intelligent and reveal them to the simple?
Jesus is thanking God not because the wise are left in darkness, but because God, in His sovereignty, chooses who receives revelation. This isn't about human intelligence, but divine prerogative.
A Divine Decision
The "wise and understanding" (often referring to religious leaders or intellectuals of the day) and "babes" (the simple, humble, and teachable) represent two distinct ways of approaching truth.
God isn't bound by human intellect. He chooses to reveal His deepest truths, the mysteries of His kingdom, to those who approach Him with humility and a willingness to learn, like children. This highlights God's freedom and His desire to show that salvation and understanding come from Him alone, not from human achievement or wisdom.
Who are these 'little children' Jesus speaks of, and what makes them so receptive to God's truth?
The 'babes' Jesus refers to aren't necessarily literal children in age, but those who possess a childlike in their faith.
Ask a follow-up
Characteristics of a Spiritual "Babe"
These individuals are characterized by:
In contrast, the 'wise and understanding' can sometimes be those who are proud, self-sufficient, and resistant to truths that challenge their established knowledge or worldview. Jesus contrasts the self-reliance of the learned with the simple trust of the humble, showing that genuine spiritual insight comes not from accumulated knowledge, but from a heart posture of dependence and openness to God's revelation.
Despite facing rejection and misunderstanding, Jesus expresses profound gratitude. What does this reveal about His perspective?
Jesus' response isn't one of discouragement or anger over the rejection He faced from the religious elite. Instead, it's a profound act of thanksgiving to the Father.
A Foundation of Gratitude
This thanksgiving demonstrates:
His prayer is a model for us: even when we experience opposition or see others seemingly miss out on God's truth, we can find reasons to thank God for His unfolding plan and His gracious dealings with those who approach Him with simple faith.
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.
Patēr · Greek Noun
The primary designation for God, emphasizing his relationship as the Source of life, authority, and covenant intimacy with his people. In the New Testament, it specifically refers to the first person of the Trinity in relation to the Son.
eudokia · Greek Noun
Refers to God's favorable, sovereign choice or desire. It denotes a purpose rooted in divine goodness and pleasure rather than human merit.
Jesus' words of thanksgiving arise directly from the context of his ministry being rejected by the 'wise and prudent' religious elite, while being received by humble, teachable followers. This highlights a consistent theme in Jesus' ministry: God's favor often rests on the unexpected, not on human status or intellectual pride.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus travels throughout Galilee, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples. His ministry includes interactions with crowds, religious leaders, and challenging miracles.
c. AD 29— this verse
Rejection by Jewish Religious Leaders
Jesus confronts the Scribes and Pharisees, accusing them of hypocrisy and spiritual blindness. They reject his teachings and question his authority.
c. AD 29
John the Baptist's Imprisonment and Doubt
John the Baptist, imprisoned by Herod, sends messengers to Jesus to ask if he is the Messiah. Jesus responds by pointing to his miracles and the preaching of the gospel to the poor.
c. AD 29
Jesus Upbraids Unrepentant Cities
Jesus pronounces judgment on the Galilean cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their lack of repentance despite witnessing many miracles.
This passage echoes Jesus' sentiment by highlighting how God chooses the 'weak' and 'foolish' things of the world to confound the wise and strong, revealing His power through humble instruments.
Psalm 8:2Jesus' acknowledgment of the Father as 'Lord of heaven and earth' connects to the psalmist's awe at God's glory displayed in creation, which is often more readily perceived by the simple-hearted than by the proud.
Deuteronomy 29:2-4This passage describes God withholding understanding from the people of Israel despite their experiences, illustrating a divine choice to conceal knowledge from those who are spiritually unteachable, paralleling Jesus' statement.
Luke 10:21-22Luke records Jesus rejoicing in the Spirit for the same reason, directly linking the revelation to 'babes' with the Father's good pleasure and the Son's unique knowledge of the Father, reinforcing the theme of divine sovereignty in revelation.
Proverbs 3:5-6The principle that true wisdom comes from trusting and not leaning on one's own understanding, as found in Proverbs, directly supports Jesus' observation that those who rely on their own 'wisdom' are often blinded, while the humble are guided.
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' prayer isn't just about gratitude for revelation; it's a profound acknowledgement of God's sovereign choice. He praises the Father not because the "wise" failed to understand, but precisely because God deliberately hid the mysteries of the kingdom from them, choosing instead to reveal them to those considered insignificant by the world. This highlights that divine understanding isn't earned by intellect but granted by God's will to the humble.
Jesus is responding to the rejection He's faced from the proud and intellectually arrogant cities where He performed many miracles, contrasted with the receptive hearts of simpler people. He begins a prayer of thanksgiving to God, acknowledging that divine wisdom is often hidden from those who trust their own understanding and revealed instead to those with humble, childlike faith. This prayer transitions into a broader revelation about knowing God and finding true rest in Jesus, especially for the weary and burdened.
Jesus is responding to the rejection He's faced from the proud and intellectually arrogant cities where He performed many miracles, contrasted with the receptive hearts of simpler people. He begins a prayer of thanksgiving to God, acknowledging that divine wisdom is often hidden from those who trust their own understanding and revealed instead to those with humble, childlike faith. This prayer transitions into a broader revelation about knowing God and finding true rest in Jesus, especially for the weary and burdened.
"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; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will." — Jesus' prayer isn't just about gratitude for revelation; it's a profound acknowledgement of God's sovereign choice. He praises the Father not because the "wise" failed to understand, but precisely…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
