Matthew 21:15-16
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Their indignation wasn't just at the children's praise, but specifically at the "wonderful things" Jesus was doing – actions that exposed their own spiritual emptiness and inaction in the temple. The religious leaders were incensed that children, not them, were recognizing and praising Jesus as the Messiah, highlighting their own jealousy and failure to acknowledge God's work.
But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Having just cleansed the temple and healed people within it, Jesus is now witnessing children in the temple echoing the cheers of "Hosanna to the Son of David!" from the previous day's procession into Jerusalem. The chief priests and scribes, already hostile and threatened by Jesus’ actions and popularity, are incensed by both his continued miracles and the innocent, spontaneous praise from the children, seeing it as a challenge to their authority.
Why were the religious leaders so angry at Jesus’ actions and the children’s praise?
The chief priests and scribes weren't just annoyed; they were 'indignant'—deeply angered. This wasn't just about Jesus performing miracles or the children shouting praise. It struck at their authority and pride.
A Challenge to Their Role
Jesus had just cleansed the temple, a massive act of authority that they should have performed. Because they lacked the 'grace or influence' to do it themselves, their pride and jealousy flared up when Jesus did it for them. They were leaders meant to uphold God's house, but they had become complicit in its profanation.
Fear of Losing Control
Jesus' popularity, especially his healing of the blind and lame in the temple, threatened their carefully guarded status. The children’s shouts of 'Hosanna to the Son of David' directly proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, a title they jealously guarded and did not want attributed to someone who disrupted their power. Their anger stemmed from a fear that Jesus' rising influence would overturn their system.
Why did Jesus allow children to praise him when their voices clearly bothered the powerful leaders?
The scene in the temple is powerful because it contrasts the hardened hearts of the religious elite with the innocent, uninhibited praise of children. Jesus not only allowed it but used it to make a profound point.
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Spontaneous and Pure Praise
The children picked up the cry of 'Hosanna to the Son of David!' likely from the crowds the day before. Their praise was simple, pure, and offered without the political or theological calculations that plagued the adults. They saw Jesus' wonderful works and responded with heartfelt acclamation.
God's Priority on the Humble
When the leaders demanded Jesus silence the children, Jesus pushed back by quoting Psalm 8:2: 'Out of the mouth of infants and sucklings you have perfected praise.' He was saying that God’s praise isn't limited to the learned or the powerful. In fact, God often uses the unexpected and the humble to declare His glory. He highlighted that their 'indignation' at children worshipping was a sign of their own spiritual blindness, whereas he delighted in this pure, unadulterated worship.
Understand the original words
archiereus · Greek Noun
The high-ranking leaders of the priesthood, responsible for temple administration and theological oversight, often in conflict with Jesus' authority.
grammateus · Greek Noun
Experts in the Law of Moses who were responsible for interpreting and teaching the Scriptures to the people.
hōsanna · Greek Interjection
An exclamation of praise or a prayer for salvation, literally meaning "Save now," used to acknowledge the messianic identity of Jesus.
huios Dauid · Greek Noun phrase
A messianic title identifying Jesus as the promised descendant of King David, who would establish an eternal throne and fulfill God's covenant promises.
aganakteō · Greek Verb
A feeling of deep displeasure, resentment, or anger, often arising from a sense of injustice or offense against one's own perceived authority or righteousness.
‘ōz · Hebrew Noun
A formal expression of adoration, honor, and worship directed toward God, acknowledging His greatness, attributes, and works. In Scripture, it is a response to divine revelation or action and is often linked to the spirit of humility.
The indignation of the chief priests and scribes stemmed not only from Jesus' cleansing of the temple, but also from his acceptance of praise from children, which they saw as a challenge to their authority and the established religious order.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
During his final week in Jerusalem, Jesus drives out merchants and money-changers from the temple courts, declaring it a house of prayer, not a marketplace.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus Heals in the Temple
Following the temple cleansing, Jesus continues to minister within the temple area, healing the blind and lame, further drawing the attention of the crowds and religious leaders.
c. AD 27-30
Children Shout Praises
As Jesus is in the temple, children begin to cry out praises to him as the "Son of David," echoing the crowds' acclamations from his entrance into Jerusalem.
c. AD 27-30
Religious Leaders' Indignation
The chief priests and scribes witness the children's praise and Jesus' actions, reacting with anger and indignation, deeply disturbed by the attention Jesus is receiving.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus Quotes Scripture
When challenged by the religious leaders, Jesus responds by quoting Psalm 8:2, affirming that praise from infants and nursing children is indeed perfect and divinely ordained.
c. AD 30
Jesus Departs Jerusalem
After this confrontation and teaching in the temple, Jesus leaves the city in the evening and goes to Bethany, as the hostility from the religious authorities intensifies.
This passage is directly quoted by Jesus in response to the indignation of the chief priests and scribes, highlighting that praise for God's glory can come even from the mouths of infants.
Luke 19:39-40This passage shows a similar situation where Pharisees try to silence Jesus' disciples' praise, and Jesus responds by stating that if they were silent, the very stones would cry out, underscoring His divine authority and the inevitability of His recognition.
John 12:12-13This passage describes the same event of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, including the crowds shouting 'Hosanna,' providing a parallel account of the popular acclaim that provoked the religious leaders.
Isaiah 56:7Jesus indirectly references this passage when cleansing the temple, stating 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.' The religious leaders' anger at His actions and the children's praise shows their resistance to this broader, inclusive prophetic vision.
clarkeMatthew 21:15: "And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,"
The chief priests - were sore displeased - Or, were incensed. Incensed at what! At the purification of the profaned temple! This was a work they should have done themselves, but for which they had neither grace nor influence; and their pride and jealousy will not suffer them to permit others to do…
barnesMatthew 21:15: "And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,"
When the chief priests ... - The chief men of the nation were envious of his popularity. They could not prevent it; but, being determined to find fault, they took occasion to do so from the shouts of the children. People often are offended that "children" have anything to do with religion, and dee…
Their indignation wasn't just at the children's praise, but specifically at the "wonderful things" Jesus was doing – actions that exposed their own spiritual emptiness and inaction in the temple. The religious leaders were incensed that children, not them, were recognizing and praising Jesus as the Messiah, highlighting their own jealousy and failure to acknowledge God's work.
Having just cleansed the temple and healed people within it, Jesus is now witnessing children in the temple echoing the cheers of "Hosanna to the Son of David!" from the previous day's procession into Jerusalem. The chief priests and scribes, already hostile and threatened by Jesus’ actions and popularity, are incensed by both his continued miracles and the innocent, spontaneous praise from the children, seeing it as a challenge to their authority.
Having just cleansed the temple and healed people within it, Jesus is now witnessing children in the temple echoing the cheers of "Hosanna to the Son of David!" from the previous day's procession into Jerusalem. The chief priests and scribes, already hostile and threatened by Jesus’ actions and popularity, are incensed by both his continued miracles and the innocent, spontaneous praise from the children, seeing it as a challenge to their authority.
"But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And…" — Their indignation wasn't just at the children's praise, but specifically at the "wonderful things" Jesus was doing – actions that exposed their own spiritual emptiness and inaction in the temple. The…
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Last reviewed October 2026
