King James Version

What Does Matthew 11:27 Mean?

Matthew 11:27 in the King James Version says “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the F... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Matthew 11:27 · KJV


Context

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.

28

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'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.' This verse contains profound Christological and soteriological truth. 'All things are delivered unto me' (πάντα μοι παρεδόθη/panta moi paredothē) asserts Christ's universal authority—the Father has committed all things to the Son (Matthew 28:18, John 3:35, 17:2). The mutual knowledge between Father and Son is exclusive and complete: 'no man knoweth the Son, but the Father'—Jesus's identity is ultimately mysterious, fully known only by God; 'neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son'—knowledge of God comes exclusively through Jesus. The climax: 'he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him' (ᾧ ἐὰν βούληται ὁ υἱὸς ἀποκαλύψαι/hō ean boulētai ho huios apokalypsai). The Son sovereignly chooses to whom He reveals the Father. Reformed theology sees this confirming both exclusivity (no one comes to the Father except through Jesus—John 14:6) and divine sovereignty (revelation depends on Christ's will, not human effort).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This statement follows Jesus's prayer thanking God for hiding truth from the wise and revealing it to babes (v.25-26). Now Jesus explains His role: He is the exclusive mediator between God and humanity. In first-century Judaism, knowledge of God came through Torah study, temple worship, and rabbinic tradition. Jesus claims to supersede all these—He alone truly knows the Father and alone can reveal Him. This claim to unique, mutual knowledge with God is implicit deity claim. Jesus positions Himself as exclusive access point to God—scandalous to Jewish ears, foolishness to Greeks (1 Corinthians 1:23). Yet early church affirmed this exclusivity: 'there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus' (1 Timothy 2:5). Modern pluralism rejects this exclusivity, claiming many paths to God. But Jesus's words are unambiguous: knowledge of God comes only through Him, and He reveals the Father only to those He chooses. This exclusivity drove early Christian mission—they possessed what the world lacked and needed.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's claim to exclusive knowledge of the Father and sole ability to reveal Him challenge religious pluralism?
  2. What does it mean that knowing the Son and knowing the Father are mutually dependent—can you have one without the other?
  3. How does the sovereignty in Jesus's phrase 'whomsoever the Son will reveal' shape your understanding of evangelism and conversion?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 32 words
Πάντα1 of 32

All things

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

μοι2 of 32

unto me

G3427

to me

παρεδόθη3 of 32

are delivered

G3860

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

ὑπὸ4 of 32

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 (

τοῦ5 of 32
G3588

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

πατέρα6 of 32

Father

G3962

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

μου7 of 32

my

G3450

of me

καὶ8 of 32

and

G2532

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

οὐδεὶς9 of 32

no man

G3762

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

ἐπιγινώσκει10 of 32

knoweth

G1921

to know upon some mark, i.e., recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge

τὸν11 of 32
G3588

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

υἱὸς12 of 32

the Son

G5207

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

εἰ13 of 32
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

μὴ14 of 32
G3361

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

15 of 32
G3588

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

πατέρα16 of 32

Father

G3962

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

οὐδὲ17 of 32

neither

G3761

not however, i.e., neither, nor, not even

τὸν18 of 32
G3588

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

πατέρα19 of 32

Father

G3962

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

τις20 of 32

any man

G5100

some or any person or object

ἐπιγινώσκει21 of 32

knoweth

G1921

to know upon some mark, i.e., recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge

εἰ22 of 32
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

μὴ23 of 32
G3361

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

24 of 32
G3588

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

υἱὸς25 of 32

the Son

G5207

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

καὶ26 of 32

and

G2532

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

27 of 32

to

G3739

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

ἐὰν28 of 32

whomsoever

G1437

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

βούληται29 of 32

will

G1014

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

30 of 32
G3588

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

υἱὸς31 of 32

the Son

G5207

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

ἀποκαλύψαι32 of 32

reveal

G601

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


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 11:27 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 11:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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