King James Version

What Does Matthew 11:25 Mean?

Matthew 11:25 in the King James Version says “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these thin... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Matthew 11:25 · KJV


Context

23

And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

24

But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

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.

26

Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'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.' Following severe judgments on rejecting cities, Jesus breaks into prayer—a prayer of thanksgiving revealing profound theological truth. He addresses God as 'Father' (Πάτερ/Pater), demonstrating intimate relationship, and 'Lord of heaven and earth' (κύριε τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ τῆς γῆς/kyrie tou ouranou kai tēs gēs), acknowledging absolute sovereignty. The thanksgiving centers on divine election: God has 'hid these things from the wise and prudent' (ἀπέκρυψας ταῦτα ἀπὸ σοφῶν καὶ συνετῶν/apekrypsas tauta apo sophōn kai synetōn) and 'revealed them unto babes' (ἀπεκάλυψας αὐτὰ νηπίοις/apekalypsas auta nēpiois). 'These things' refers to kingdom mysteries—truth about Jesus's identity and mission. The 'wise and prudent' are the educated religious elite; 'babes' are simple, humble, teachable. God actively hides truth from some and reveals it to others—sovereign election in salvation. Reformed theology sees this as explicit biblical support for predestination: God chooses whom to illumine, not based on human merit but His sovereign will.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This prayer occurs after pronouncing judgment on cities that witnessed Jesus's miracles but refused repentance. The contrast is stark: cities with greatest evidence rejected; simple disciples received revelation. The 'wise and prudent' included Pharisees, scribes, Sadducees—Israel's theological experts, trained in Torah, respected for learning. Yet they missed Messiah standing before them. The 'babes' (νήπιοι/nēpioi, infants) were Jesus's disciples—fishermen, tax collectors, ordinary people without rabbinic training. This pattern fulfilled Isaiah 29:14 (quoted in 1 Corinthians 1:19): 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise.' God consistently chooses weak, foolish, lowly things to shame the strong, wise, and noble (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). Early church reflected this: Christianity spread among slaves, women, lower classes initially; Roman aristocracy largely rejected it for centuries. This divine pattern ensures no one boasts in themselves—salvation is entirely God's gracious work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's thanksgiving for divine hiddenness and revelation challenge egalitarian assumptions that everyone deserves equal understanding?
  2. What does it mean practically that you must become like a 'babe' to receive kingdom revelation—how is childlike faith different from scholarly investigation?
  3. How do you respond to the reality that God sovereignly chooses to whom He reveals truth—does this seem unfair, or does it magnify grace?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
Ἐν1 of 28

At

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ἐκείνῳ2 of 28

that

G1565

that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed

τῷ3 of 28
G3588

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

καιρῷ4 of 28

time

G2540

an occasion, i.e., set or proper time

ἀποκριθεὶς5 of 28

answered

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

6 of 28
G3588

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

Ἰησοῦς7 of 28

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

εἶπεν8 of 28

and said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Ἐξομολογοῦμαί9 of 28

I thank

G1843

to acknowledge or (by implication, of assent) agree fully

σοι10 of 28

thee

G4671

to thee

πάτερ11 of 28

O Father

G3962

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

κύριε12 of 28

Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

τοῦ13 of 28
G3588

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

οὐρανοῦ14 of 28

of heaven

G3772

the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)

καὶ15 of 28

and

G2532

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

τῆς16 of 28
G3588

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

γῆς17 of 28

earth

G1093

soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

ὅτι18 of 28

because

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

απέκρυψας19 of 28

thou hast hid

G613

to conceal away (i.e., fully); figuratively, to keep secret

ταῦτα20 of 28

these things

G5023

these things

ἀπὸ21 of 28

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

σοφῶν22 of 28

the wise

G4680

wise (in a most general application)

καὶ23 of 28

and

G2532

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

συνετῶν24 of 28

prudent

G4908

mentally put (or putting) together, i.e., sagacious

καὶ25 of 28

and

G2532

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

ἀπεκάλυψας26 of 28

hast revealed

G601

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

αὐτὰ27 of 28

them

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

νηπίοις·28 of 28

unto babes

G3516

not speaking, i.e., an infant (minor); figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature christian


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Matthew 11:25 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 Matthew 11:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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