Matthew 11:25-27

In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus says: "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for having revealed to little children what you have hidden from the learned and clever."

This statement also appears in Luke 10:21-22. There is no explanation given in either gospel, so we are left to interpret the meaning. In the gospel of Matthew the preceding passage concerns the judgment that will come upon the Jewish cities that have not responded to the ministry of Jesus. In the gospel of Luke, however, the preceding passage depicts the disciples rejoicing because of the success of their ministry.

Do little children understand the judgment predicted in the gospel of Matthew and the jubilation of the founders of the church described in the gospel of Luke?

It seems that here the immediate context is of little help in interpreting the text. A literal reading would conclude that children understand what eludes the wisdom of their elders. Generally, however, the church has read this passage to mean that the learned Jews and Gentiles, who rejected the teachings and meaning of Jesus, were wrong and misled by their supposed wisdom. It is not that children understand, but rather that the wise do not understand. Perhaps a good interpretation would be that we do not have to be wise in order to respond with faith to the gospel.

Grace and peace...Bob