What does Matthew 21 16 mean?

Answer 1

Matthew 21:16 reads "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?"

Jesus was quoting Old Testament Scripture. In Psalms 8:2 it says "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger."

Psalm 8 is a messianic psalm. It contains statements that are wholly inapplicable to any person in history other than Christ Jesus. Psalm 8 expresses that through the Messiah, humanity is to rule creation. Worldwide praise will be brought about under the Messiah, in the day of His triumphant reign (Hebrews 2:6-9). Jesus quoted verse 2 referring to an incident in His own life (Matthew 21:16).

Jesus also said in Matthew 11:24 "...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." Jesus made several statements regarding children that seem relevant; Matthew 18:4 "Whosoever, therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Mark 10:15 and Luke 18:17 "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein."

Answer 2

Matt 28 16-20 refers to a book in the New Testament of the Holy Bible, namely, the Book of Matthew, chapter 28, verses 16 through 20.