Matthew 21:16 · Bible study
Matthew 21:16 Commentary: Children's Praise and Divine Revelation
Greek · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
How Jesus uses Psalm 8:2 to defend children's messianic praise, revealing that true worship comes from the weak and dependent.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jesus defends children's messianic praise by citing Psalm 8:2, showing that God perfects praise through the dependent and weak.
- Key words: κατηρτίσω (aorist middle: you prepared/completed for yourself); ναί (yes, strong affirmation); νηπίων/θηλαζόντων (babes and nursing infants, utter dependence).
- Main debate: Whether "babes and sucklings" refers literally to young children or metaphorically to the humble; whether Jesus changes the Psalm's "strength" to "praise" by using the LXX.
- Theological theme: Divine revelation through the powerless; the reversal of human expectations about who can worship and proclaim truth.
- Best use: For teaching on the nature of authentic worship, childlike faith, and the danger of religious elitism.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
“Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. “Yes,” Jesus answered. “Have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?”
WEB World English Bible 2000
and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of children and nursing babies, you have perfected praise’?”
KJV King James Version 1769
And 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?
ASV American Standard Version 1901
and said unto him, Hearest thou what these are saying? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea: did ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and they said to him, `Hearest thou what these say?' And Jesus saith to them, `Yes, did ye never read, that, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou didst prepare praise?'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
and said to him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus says to them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And said to him: Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus said to them: Yea, have you never read: Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y le dijeron: ¿ Oyes lo que éstos dicen? Y Jesús les dice: Sí: ¿ nunca leísteis: De la boca de los niños y de los que maman perfeccionaste la alabanza?
E perguntaram-lhe: Ouves o que estas crianças dizem?E Jesus lhes respondeu: Sim. Nunca lestes: “Da boca das crianças e dos bebês providenciaste o louvor?”
Ils lui dirent: Entends-tu ce qu’ ils disent? Oui, leur répondit Jésus. N’ avez-vous jamais lu ces paroles: Tu as tiré des louanges de la bouche des enfants et de ceux qui sont à la mamelle?
und sprachen zu ihm: Hörst du auch, was diese sagen? Jesus sprach zu ihnen: Ja! Habt ihr nie gelesen: “ Aus dem Munde der Unmündigen und Säuglinge hast du Lob zugerichtet”?
En zeiden tot Hem: Hoort Gij wel, wat dezen zeggen? En Jezus zeide tot hen: Ja; hebt gij nooit gelezen: Uit de mond der jonge kinderen en der zuigelingen hebt Gij U lof toebereid?
E Gesù disse loro: Sì. Non avete mai letto: Dalla bocca de’ fanciulli e de’ lattanti hai tratto lode?
I rzekli mu: Słyszyszże, co ci mówią? A Jezus im rzekł: I owszem. Nigdyścież nie czytali, iż z ust niemowlątek i ssących wykonałeś chwałę?
и сказали Ему: слышишь ли, что они говорят? Иисус же говорит им: да! разве вы никогда не читали: из уст младенцев и грудных детей Ты устроил хвалу?
對他 說：「這些人 所 說的，你聽見了嗎？」 耶穌 說：「是的。經上說『你從 嬰孩 和 吃奶的 口 中完全了 讚美』的話，你們沒有 念過嗎？」
Have you any idea what these are saying? And Jesus said to them, Yes: have you not seen in the Writings, From the lips of children and babies at the breast you have made your praise complete?
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Matthew 21:16
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Jesus quotes Psalm 8:2 from the Septuagint to justify the children's acclamation in the temple. The priests' indignant question, "Do you hear what these are saying?", seeks to discredit both Jesus and the children. Jesus' reply, "Yes" (ναί, a strong affirmation), turns the accusation into a teaching moment. Vincent notes that the Greek verb κατηρτίσω (from Psalm 8:2 LXX) is the same word used for mending nets in Matthew 4:21; its secondary meaning is to furnish completely or equip. So Jesus reads the verse as God providing complete, perfected praise through the very people the priests dismiss. Calvin observes that God "needs no other orators to proclaim his power than mere infants." Gill points out that Jewish tradition in the Zohar applied this Psalm to the Messiah. Clarke adds that Psalm 8 is cited in Hebrews 2 and 1 Corinthians 15 as messianic. The consensus: the children's uninstructed praise fulfills Scripture and reveals that divine revelation bypasses human credentials.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Literal children view: Most commentators read the passage as ordinary children in the temple crying out messianic praise after witnessing healings. Supports childlike faith as model (cf. Matthew 11:25).
- Metaphorical interpretation: Some read 'babes and sucklings' as a figure for the humble and lowly — the first preachers of the Gospel (Clarke notes this as an extension of the prophecy).
- Temple youth view: Lange reports (but dismisses) the idea that these were consecrated temple youths under priestly authority; evidence from the account makes this doubtful since priests would have silenced them.
What is clear: Jesus defends the children's praise as a fulfillment of Scripture, affirming that God uses the vulnerable and dependent to proclaim divine truth, and that the religious leaders' indignation stems from their own hardness of heart.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Who are the 'babes and sucklings'? | They are children, likely including very young ones, who cry out 'Hosanna to the Son of David.' | Some (e.g. Lange referencing Temple consecrated youths) see them as older children dedicated to temple service, but most commentators take them as ordinary, very young children visiting the temple with families. |
| Psalm 8:2, 'strength' vs 'praise' | Jesus' quotation follows the Septuagint translation, which renders the Hebrew 'strength' as 'praise.' | Christians who emphasize verbal worship see 'praise' as the intended meaning; others note the Hebrew 'strength' connotes God's power displayed through weakness, which Jesus embodies. |
| Nature of the children's praise | The children's cry 'Hosanna to the Son of David' is messianic and Scriptural, based on Psalm 118. | Some traditions see this as prophetic utterance, others as a learned acclamation (children joining a festal chant). Both views agree it was Spirit-led. |
| Implications for worship today | Jesus validates the worship of those whom religious authorities might dismiss as too young or uneducated. | Catholic and Orthodox traditions see this as supporting the inclusion of children in liturgy; some Protestant traditions emphasize the childlike heart as prerequisite for true worship. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This verse sits at the climax of Jesus' temple action. He has just driven out the merchants (v12), healed the blind and lame (v14), and received the cry "Hosanna to the Son of David!" from children. The temple in Jerusalem was the religious and national center of Judaism. Its outer court, the Court of the Gentiles, had become a marketplace. By purging it, Jesus acts with prophetic authority reminiscent of Malachi 3:1, the Lord suddenly coming to his temple.
The children shouting "Hosanna" from Psalm 118:25-26 were not part of any official liturgy. Clarke notes that it was common for Jewish children to acclaim celebrated rabbis. What enraged the chief priests and scribes was not the noise but the title: "Son of David", a messianic claim. Lange mentions the possibility of temple-consecrated youths, but rightly rejects it because the priests would have silenced them. These were ordinary children, likely those who had witnessed Jesus' healing.
The priests phrase their question using the present tense λέγουσιν ("are saying"), capturing the ongoing scene. Their word "these" carries contempt, they see children as incapable of religious insight. Jesus' simple "yes" (ναί) affirms not just that he hears, but that he approves. By citing Psalm 8, he grounds the moment in Israel's Scriptures: the same God who ordained praise from nursing infants now receives it from temple children. The leaders, who pride themselves on reading Scripture, are confronted by what they have never truly read.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Matthew 21:16. Jesus' quotation follows the Septuagint (Psalm 8:2 LXX) rather than the Masoretic Hebrew text. The Septuagint reads αἶνον (praise) where the Hebrew has 'strength.' Matthew's Gospel adopts the Septuagint wording, as does the early church. Some manuscript traditions of the Septuagint show minor variation in the verb form, but none affect the passage's meaning.
Reception History
The early church read this verse as proof that even the youngest believers can offer genuine worship, often citing it to defend children's participation in baptism and the Eucharist. Augustine and Chrysostom used the passage to contrast the humility of children with the pride of the scribes, urging adults to become like children in faith. Medieval catenae linked the verse to Psalm 8's cosmic scope, seeing the children as representing all creation praising its Creator. Reformation commentators (Calvin, Geneva Notes) emphasized that God's Word alone justifies worship, not human approval. In modern times, the verse has been invoked to affirm the spiritual agency of children and to challenge churches that marginalize young voices. It is also sung in hymns based on Psalm 8, such as the metrical versions used in Anglican and Reformed worship.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- What the priests saw. They saw disorder: children shouting messianic titles in the temple. Their indignation came from a desire to control worship and protect their authority. But what they called noise, God called praise.
- What Jesus heard. Jesus affirmed the children's words. His "yes" is not reluctant permission but joyful endorsement. He hears what the priests cannot: genuine faith spoken without self-consciousness.
- What Scripture shows. Psalm 8 reveals God's pattern: praise perfected through the powerless. The same God who established strength through infants now receives praise from children. The leaders' learning had blinded them to what the children saw clearly.
Five-point outline
- A temple in transition, Jesus purges, heals, then receives praise (vv12-15).
- Religious indignation, the priests question Jesus' judgment (v16a).
- Jesus' affirmation, he not only hears but approves (v16b).
- The Scripture citation, Psalm 8:2 as divine precedent (v16c).
- The reversal, those deemed unqualified become God's chosen witnesses.
Illustration hooks
- A child's spontaneous prayer in a crowded church service, words simple but true, drawing attention to God rather than to the speaker. What some call disruptive, God may call praise.
- A new believer who cannot articulate theology but trusts Jesus fully. Meanwhile, seasoned Christians debate fine points of doctrine. Who is closer to the heart of worship?
- The sound of children singing in a hospital chapel, untrained voices, faltering notes, yet carrying more weight than a polished choir because of the trust behind them.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does God value my worship even when I feel I don't have the right words or knowledge?
- Why do religious leaders miss what ordinary people see? How can I avoid that blindness?
- How do we make space for children and new believers to express their faith without being dismissed?
Leading a Discussion
This passage challenges assumptions about who can worship God acceptably. The religious leaders expected children to be silent in sacred spaces. Jesus not only allowed their praise but defended it with Scripture. As you discuss, consider what voices your group might be tempted to silence, and why.
Discussion questions
- Read Matthew 21:12-16 as a group. What emotions do you notice in the priests and scribes? In Jesus? In the children?
- The priests ask, "Do you hear what these are saying?" Unpack that question. What is its tone? What answer were they expecting?
- Jesus responds "Yes" before quoting Psalm 8. Why is that simple affirmation significant? What does it tell us about Jesus' view of the children?
- Psalm 8:2 in the Hebrew says God "established strength" through infants. The Septuagint says "perfected praise." How does Jesus' choice of the Greek version shape the meaning for this moment?
- Why do you think the religious leaders could not see the children's praise as genuine? What blinds people today to authentic worship?
- Jesus' citation implies that God uses the weak and dependent to proclaim truth. Where have you seen this principle at work in your own life or church?
- How can your group create space for "unqualified" voices, children, new believers, or those on the margins, to speak and be heard?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Psalms 8:2 | From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength, because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger. |
| Matthew 11:25 | At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants. |
| Matthew 12:3 | But he said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, and those who were with him: |
| Matthew 19:4 | He answered, “Haven’t you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, |
| Matthew 22:31 | But concerning the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read that which was spoken to you by God, saying, |
| Mark 2:25 | He said to them, “Did you never read what David did when he had need and was hungry—he, and those who were with him? |
| Luke 19:39 | Some of the Pharisees from the multitude said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” |
| Luke 19:40 | He answered them, “I tell you that if these were silent, the stones would cry out.” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke observes that children shouting public acclamations was a common Jewish custom for honoring rabbis. The religious leaders were incensed not because the practice was unusual but because they hated the person being celebrated, and they ignored the prophecy that foretold this event.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin's point is that even the smallest infants proclaim God's glory through the silent testimony of their creation and God's providence in their care, which is more powerful than any human eloquence. Christ then argues that if God can draw praise from such helpless beings, it is no surprise that speaking children would praise Him.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator reads the Hebrew phrase as "founded strength" rather than "perfected praise." The barely articulate cry of an infant, like the heavens themselves, displays God's power and becomes a stronghold God builds against those who doubt Him.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The note highlights that Jesus quotes Psalm 8 to show God himself ordains praise from the weakest and most insignificant voices. True worship is perfected not through learned teachers but through the simple cries of children, which confounds the pride of the religious leaders.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights that the original Hebrew behind Jesus' quotation says God "ordained strength" from children, not merely praise. He sees this as God making Christ's strength perfect in their weakness, so their loud acclamation was a divine work. Gill also notes a Jewish tradition that babes give strength to the King Messiah.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange distinguishes two temple cleansings: the first Jesus performed as a prophetic
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry observes that Jesus, entering Jerusalem as King, went first to the temple, not the palace, showing His kingdom is spiritual and His authority exercised in holy things. He then drove out the traders, teaching that abuses must be purged before righteousness is established, and that even lawful activities become sinful when misplaced in time and place.