New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 21:16

The King Enters

“Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?” Matthew 21:16 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Matthew 21:16, in plain English

They ask, 'Do You hear what these children are saying?' Jesus replies, 'Yes! Haven't you read that God brings perfect praise from the mouths of children?'

Why it's here

Jesus quotes a psalm that says children's praise is exactly what God intended. The leaders should know this.

Who's speaking

Jesus defends the children's praise with Scripture the leaders should have known by heart.

Where it sits in the story

The leaders want silence. Jesus says the children's praise is exactly what God ordered. If the teachers can't see it, the children can.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

The leaders challenge Jesus about the children's cries; He responds by quoting Psalm 8:2 (LXX): God has ordained praise from the mouths of children and infants — a psalm about creation's witness to God's glory.

Language and setting

Jesus' use of Psalm 8:2 implies that the children's praise is divinely orchestrated, and by accepting it, He implicitly accepts worship due to God.

Voice

Jesus responds to the leaders' objection with Scripture that validates the children's praise as divinely appointed.

Significance

The leaders demand Jesus silence the children. He responds with a psalm that says God Himself put praise in their mouths.

In context

Matthew 21:14–18

14The blind and the lame came to Him at the temple, and He healed them.

15But the chief priests and scribes were indignant when they saw the wonders He performed and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”

16“Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?”

17Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where He spent the night.

18In the morning, as Jesus was returning to the city, He was hungry.

Read all of Matthew 21 — Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey while the crowds shout hosanna. Within hours, he's overturning tables in the temple.

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