All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse emphasizes a unique, reciprocal knowledge between the Father and the Son. It's not just that the Son knows the Father, but that only the Father knows the Son, and only the Son knows the Father, highlighting a perfect, intimate understanding that transcends human comprehension and is the exclusive source of true knowledge about God. This deep, shared divine essence is the basis for the Son's authority to reveal the Father to whomever He chooses.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just rebuked cities that rejected his ministry, contrasting their unbelief with the humble faith of "babes." In response, he offers praise to the Father for revealing divine mysteries to the simple and unknown, rather than to the proud and learned. This declaration of divine sovereignty and chosenness leads directly into Jesus' profound statement about his unique relationship with the Father and his role in revealing God to humanity.
Jesus declares that 'all things' have been handed over to Him by the Father. What does this immense authority entail, and how does it connect to His divine nature?
Jesus' statement, 'All things have been handed over to me by my Father,' is a profound declaration of His unique relationship with God. This isn't just about a temporary delegation of power; it speaks to an eternal, intrinsic connection.
The Scope of Authority
This authority isn't a burden but a confirmation of His divine commission and His perfect qualification to save.
Jesus asserts that 'no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son.' What does this exclusive, reciprocal knowledge reveal about the divine nature?
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The reciprocal knowledge between the Father and the Son is the heart of their divine intimacy and the key to understanding God.
The Depth of Divine Knowing
Knowledge of the Father is not earned or discovered, but given: 'anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.' What does this say about God's initiative in our relationship with Him?
Jesus’ final statement in this verse clarifies how humanity comes to know God: through His chosen revelation.
God's Grace in Revelation
This highlights that our relationship with God is entirely founded on His outreach to us, made possible by Jesus' authority and His intimate knowledge of the Father.
Understand the original words
Huios · Greek Noun
The title representing Jesus as the unique incarnate God, sent by the Father to accomplish redemption. It signifies both his deity and his mission as the mediator between God and humanity.
apokaluptō · Greek Verb
To make known or uncover something previously hidden. In a theological sense, it refers to God revealing spiritual truths, himself, or his gospel to human hearts.
This passage echoes the profound intimacy and mutual knowledge between the Father and the Son, stating that only the Son has seen the Father and can reveal Him, mirroring Jesus' own words in Matthew 11:27.
John 3:35This verse directly states that the Father has given all things into the Son's hand, which aligns perfectly with Jesus' claim in Matthew 11:27 that 'All things have been handed over to me by my Father.'
John 14:6Jesus declares in this passage, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,' which is a practical outworking of the principle in Matthew 11:27 that only the Son can reveal the Father.
1 Corinthians 2:10-11This passage speaks about the Spirit revealing God's hidden things, which relates to the idea in Matthew 11:27 that the Son reveals the Father to those to whom He chooses, highlighting the Spirit's role in this divine revelation.
Proverbs 3:5-6This proverb encourages trusting in the Lord with all your heart and not leaning on your own understanding, reflecting the humility and reliance on divine revelation that Jesus describes in Matthew 11:27.
vincentMatthew 11:27: "All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him."
Are delivered (παρεδόθη)More lit., were delivered, as of a single act at a given time, as in this case, where the Son was sent forth by the Father, and clothed with authority. Compare Matthew 28:18.Knoweth (ἐπιγινώσκει)The compound indicating full knowledge. Others behold only in part, "thro…
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…
The verse emphasizes a unique, reciprocal knowledge between the Father and the Son. It's not just that the Son knows the Father, but that only the Father knows the Son, and only the Son knows the Father, highlighting a perfect, intimate understanding that transcends human comprehension and is the exclusive source of true knowledge about God. This deep, shared divine essence is the basis for the Son's authority to reveal the Father to whomever He chooses.
Jesus has just rebuked cities that rejected his ministry, contrasting their unbelief with the humble faith of "babes." In response, he offers praise to the Father for revealing divine mysteries to the simple and unknown, rather than to the proud and learned. This declaration of divine sovereignty and chosenness leads directly into Jesus' profound statement about his unique relationship with the Father and his role in revealing God to humanity.
Jesus has just rebuked cities that rejected his ministry, contrasting their unbelief with the humble faith of "babes." In response, he offers praise to the Father for revealing divine mysteries to the simple and unknown, rather than to the proud and learned. This declaration of divine sovereignty and chosenness leads directly into Jesus' profound statement about his unique relationship with the Father and his role in revealing God to humanity.
"All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." — The verse emphasizes a unique, reciprocal knowledge between the Father and the Son. It's not just that the Son knows the Father, but that only the Father knows the Son, and only the Son knows the…
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Last reviewed October 2026