Explain Matthew chapter 11 verse 25?

Answer 1

Matthew 11:25, 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.

The whole passage is below so the context can be evident. Jesus was having a discussion about the unbelief of certain groups in Him, in particular certain towns. The point He is making is that even the people of the wicked city of Sodom would have believed if the people there had seen Jesus' works.

He is thus saying that even babes can believe the message and love Jesus but people who should know better, since they are older and have seen things for themselves do not. This made these people particularly ripe for judgment since the works, which were performed before their very eyes, pointed clearly to who Jesus was.

This verse still has the same meaning today, even though we are removed by 2000 years from the events described by eyewitnesses. People today still avoid the weight of truth as they did in Jesus day when the miracles were performed before their very eyes. Some people evidence the same stubborn resistance to truth and willingly mis-quote The Bible to shape it to their unbelief, although it is simple enough for a 'babe' to understand.

Jesus is also pointing in the passage to the trusting nature of young children, who are willing to believe what they see verses the hardened and stubborn nature of those who resist truth and deny the reality before their very eyes. Such may even use all kind of excuses, including the way they have been treated by people in the past to avoid the implications of truth on their own lives. The people of Jesus' day were clearly hardened in unbelief, whatever excuse they used but, like people today, were no less accountable.

20Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 21Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.22But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.24But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.25At 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. 26Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27All 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. 28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. After reading the whole chapter, my opinion is, just trust any unknown self-proclaimed Messiah who come along, saying that he is the son of god; who cursed Capernaum (his hometown), Chorasin and Bethsaida and threaten the people with destruction like in Tyre, Sidon and Sodom. And trust him without questioning like a babe (innocent/ignorant).

In short, it's not wise to be prudent.

No unkown or self-proclaimed Messiah could do the miracles Jesus did including raising a man who had been dead for four days in the presence of many witnesses. Nor could such a person fulfill the many Messianic prophecies, nor themselves be raised from death.

Nor did the real Jesus curse anyone. They effectively cursed themselves by their unbelief. Jesus sadly reflected on the ultimate results of their actions.

Jesus' assertion about babes also needs to be clearly understood. Proud people and those who are either self-righteous or self-important do not wish to hear truth of any kind be it simple or complex that tells them they are sinners and need to repent. Even a young child knows they need to be sorry for wrongs done to others and to have things put right again. That a person cannot and will not believe is not a sign of higher intellect or intelligence but rather of stubbornness and self-will turned against God who makes things so simple that even the lowest of the low can get to it. If it was something that could not be grasped by all then God could rightly be accused of intellectual elitism. It is a wonderful thing that the almighty and all-wise maker of heaven and earth stoops to the lowest human level to make His message intelligible to all.