Luke 10:21
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.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτὰ
that
G846
αὐτὰ
that
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 40
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
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 40
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 40
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεύματι
spirit
G4151
πνεύματι
spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
7 of 40
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 40
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς,
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς,
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
9 of 40
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 40
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Ἐξομολογοῦμαί
I thank
G1843
Ἐξομολογοῦμαί
I thank
Strong's:
G1843
Word #:
12 of 40
to acknowledge or (by implication, of assent) agree fully
πατήρ
Father
G3962
πατήρ
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
14 of 40
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
κύριε
Lord
G2962
κύριε
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
15 of 40
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 40
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανοῦ
of heaven
G3772
οὐρανοῦ
of heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
17 of 40
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 40
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 40
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς
earth
G1093
γῆς
earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
20 of 40
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
21 of 40
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἀπέκρυψας
thou hast hid
G613
ἀπέκρυψας
thou hast hid
Strong's:
G613
Word #:
22 of 40
to conceal away (i.e., fully); figuratively, to keep secret
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
24 of 40
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
26 of 40
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
συνετῶν
prudent
G4908
συνετῶν
prudent
Strong's:
G4908
Word #:
27 of 40
mentally put (or putting) together, i.e., sagacious
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
28 of 40
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτὰ
that
G846
αὐτὰ
that
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
30 of 40
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·
unto babes
G3516
νηπίοις·
unto babes
Strong's:
G3516
Word #:
31 of 40
not speaking, i.e., an infant (minor); figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature christian
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
33 of 40
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατήρ
Father
G3962
πατήρ
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
34 of 40
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
35 of 40
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἐγένετο
it seemed
G1096
ἐγένετο
it seemed
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
37 of 40
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
εὐδοκία
good
G2107
εὐδοκία
good
Strong's:
G2107
Word #:
38 of 40
satisfaction, i.e., (subjectively) delight, or (objectively) kindness, wish, purpose
Cross References
2 Corinthians 4:3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:Psalms 8:2Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.Ephesians 1:11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:Ephesians 1:5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,Mark 10:15Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.Matthew 21:16And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?Matthew 16:17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.Isaiah 29:14Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.Isaiah 66:1Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?Isaiah 53:11He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Historical Context
This prayer followed the seventy's successful mission and Jesus' statement about names written in heaven. The 'wise and prudent' likely refers to scribes, Pharisees, and religious leaders who rejected Jesus despite their learning. The 'babes' were ordinary people—fishermen, tax collectors, women—who believed. This pattern fulfilled Jesus' beatitudes (blessing the poor in spirit) and demonstrated grace's nature—it comes to those knowing their need, not to those proud of their knowledge. Paul later emphasized this theme (1 Corinthians 1:26-29)—God chooses the foolish, weak, and lowly to shame the wise and strong, ensuring no human boasting.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God hiding truth from the wise while revealing it to babes teach about intellectual pride versus humble receptivity?
- How does this prayer demonstrate God's sovereign grace in choosing to reveal truth to whom He pleases?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus prays: '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.' Jesus thanks God for revealing kingdom truth to 'babes' (Greek 'nēpiois,' νηπίοις, infants, simple ones) while hiding it from 'wise and prudent' (Greek 'sophōn kai synetōn,' σοφῶν καὶ συνετῶν, wise and understanding). This divine hiddenness and revelation demonstrates sovereign election—God chooses to reveal truth to humble, receptive hearts while the proud remain blind. The phrase 'so it seemed good' (Greek 'eudokia,' εὐδοκία) indicates God's good pleasure, His sovereign will.