21In that same hour he exulted in the Holy Spirit and said: "I openly declare to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to the unlearned. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing before you. [10:22] All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son is willing to reveal him." [10:23] Turning to the disciples privately, he said: "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. [10:24] For I say to you that many prophets and kings wished to see what you see and did not see it, and to hear what you hear and did not hear it."
LUK 10:21-24
Jesusʼ Prayer of Thanksgiving
In the world it was spoken into
In this passage, Jesus’ prayer of thanksgiving reflects a radical inversion of 1st-century cultural values. The Greco-Roman world prized wisdom and intelligence as markers of elite status, often associated with philosophers, scribes, and those educated in rhetoric. Jewish tradition also revered wisdom, as seen in texts like Proverbs and the Wisdom of Solomon. Yet Jesus declares that these things are hidden from the 'wise and intelligent' and revealed to 'little children' . This term would have been jarring; it connoted immaturity, simplicity, and dependence—qualities dismissed in a society that valued self-sufficiency and intellectual prowess. Jesus’ joy in the Holy Spirit underscores this divine reversal, emphasizing that true understanding comes not through human achievement but through divine revelation. The phrase 'Lord of heaven and earth' echoes Jewish monotheistic language, affirming God’s sovereignty over all creation. The disciples, as recipients of this revelation, are declared 'blessed' , a term often reserved for those favored by the gods or in a state of divine happiness.
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How other translations render this
LUK 10:21
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- At that time Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.
- Koinōnos
- In that same hour he exulted in the Holy Spirit and said: "I openly declare to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to the unlearned. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing before you.
LUK 10:22
- KJV
- All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
- BSB
- All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.”
- Koinōnos
- All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son is willing to reveal him.
LUK 10:23
- KJV
- And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
- BSB
- Then Jesus turned to the disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
- Koinōnos
- Turning to the disciples privately, he said: "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
LUK 10:24
- KJV
- For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
- BSB
- For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”
- Koinōnos
- For I say to you that many prophets and kings wished to see what you see and did not see it, and to hear what you hear and did not hear it.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 10:21
- He rejoiced:The word translated 'He rejoiced' suggests an exuberant, almost leaping for joy, expression of happiness, often associated with divine or spiritual delight.
- said;:The word translated 'said' here carries the sense of an open declaration or confession, often with an undertone of praise or acknowledgment, rather than a simple statement.
- them:The term used here for 'them' (referring to 'infants') implies not just young children, but those who are simple, unlearned, or even foolish in the eyes of the world, highlighting their dependence.
LUK 10:23
- Blessed [are]:The word translated 'Blessed' describes a state of deep, intrinsic happiness and well-being, often understood as a gift from the gods or a divine favor, rather than merely good fortune.