King James Version

What Does Luke 10:22 Mean?

Luke 10:22 in the King James Version says “All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, b... — study this verse from Luke chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. many ancient copies add these words at the beginning of verse, and turning to his Disciples, he said

Luke 10:22 · KJV


Context

20

Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

21

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

22

All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. many ancient copies add these words at the beginning of verse, and turning to his Disciples, he said

23

And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately , Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:

24

For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. The phrase panta moi paredothē (πάντα μοι παρεδόθη, "all things are delivered to me") uses the aorist passive of paradidōmi—the Father has transferred complete authority to the Son. This "all things" (panta, πάντα) is universal: creation, redemption, revelation, judgment—total cosmic authority resides in Christ (Matthew 28:18, John 3:35, 13:3).

The mutual knowledge statement reveals the Trinity's mysterious intimacy: epiginōskei (ἐπιγινώσκει, "knoweth") means full, perfect, experiential knowledge—not mere intellectual awareness but complete understanding and communion. Only the Father fully comprehends the Son's divine nature; only the Son perfectly knows the Father's essence. This reciprocal knowledge is eternal, infinite, and exclusive to the Godhead.

Yet Jesus adds the stunning final clause: and he to whom the Son will reveal him (kai hō ean boulētai ho huios apokalypsai, καὶ ᾧ ἐὰν βούληται ὁ υἱὸς ἀποκαλύψαι). The verb apokalypsai (ἀποκαλύψαι, "to reveal") means to unveil, disclose, make visible. Knowing God depends entirely on the Son's sovereign choice to reveal Him. No human effort, wisdom, or merit can penetrate this mystery—only the Son grants access (John 14:6). This is the heart of Reformed soteriology: saving knowledge comes through Christ's gracious revelation, not human discovery.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This statement appears in Luke's travel narrative but parallels Matthew 11:25-27, occurring after Jesus thanks the Father for hiding truth from the wise and revealing it to babes. The context is the seventy's return from mission and Jesus' rejoicing in the Spirit. This is one of the most explicitly Trinitarian statements in the Synoptic Gospels, revealing the Father-Son relationship's depth and exclusivity. First-century Jewish monotheism struggled with such claims—Jesus asserts unique filial knowledge of God that transcends even Moses or the prophets.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the mutual exclusivity of Father-Son knowledge challenge human attempts to know God apart from Christ's revelation?
  2. What does it mean that the Son chooses to whom He will reveal the Father, and how does this relate to election and evangelism?
  3. Why is Jesus' claim to have 'all things delivered' from the Father so central to trusting Him as sufficient Savior and Lord?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 40 words
καὶ1 of 40

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

στραφείς2 of 40
G4762

to twist, i.e., turn quite around or reverse (literally or figuratively)

πρός3 of 40
G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

τούς4 of 40
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μαθητάς5 of 40
G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

εἶπεν6 of 40
G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Πάντα7 of 40

All things

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

παρεδόθη8 of 40

are delivered

G3860

to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit

μοι9 of 40

to me

G3427

to me

ὑπὸ10 of 40

of

G5259

under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (

τοῦ11 of 40
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατὴρ12 of 40

Father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

μου13 of 40

my

G3450

of me

καὶ14 of 40

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὐδεὶς15 of 40

no man

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

γινώσκει16 of 40

knoweth

G1097

to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed)

τίς17 of 40

who

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ἐστιν18 of 40

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

19 of 40
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱὸς20 of 40

the Son

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

εἰ21 of 40
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

μὴ22 of 40
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

23 of 40
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατὴρ24 of 40

Father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

καὶ25 of 40

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τίς26 of 40

who

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ἐστιν27 of 40

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

28 of 40
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πατὴρ29 of 40

Father

G3962

a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)

εἰ30 of 40
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

μὴ31 of 40
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

32 of 40
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱὸς33 of 40

the Son

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

καὶ34 of 40

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

35 of 40

he to whom

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐὰν36 of 40
G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

βούληται37 of 40

will

G1014

to "will," i.e., (reflexively) be willing

38 of 40
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

υἱὸς39 of 40

the Son

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

ἀποκαλύψαι40 of 40

reveal

G601

to take off the cover, i.e., disclose


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 10:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 10:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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