Luke 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].

KJV (with Strong's)

All things {G3956} are delivered {G3860} to me {G3427} of {G5259} my {G3450} Father {G3962}: and {G2532} no man {G3762} knoweth {G1097} who {G5101} the Son {G5207} is {G2076}, but {G1508} the Father {G3962}; and {G2532} who {G5101} the Father {G3962} is {G2076}, but {G1508} the Son {G5207}, and {G2532} he to whom {G3739}{G1437} the Son {G5207} will {G1014} reveal {G601} him.

Complete Jewish Bible

“My Father has handed over everything to me. Indeed, no one fully knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth who the Son is, save the Father; and who the Father is, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 10:22 is a profound declaration by Jesus, asserting His unique and exclusive relationship with God the Father and His unparalleled authority as the sole revealer of divine truth. This verse highlights the intimate, reciprocal knowledge shared between the Father and the Son, emphasizing that genuine understanding of God is not attainable through human effort or wisdom but is graciously disclosed only by the Son to those He chooses. It underscores Jesus' divine commission and His indispensable role in humanity's access to the Father.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This powerful statement from Jesus immediately follows the joyous return of the seventy-two disciples, whom He had sent out on a mission. They reported success, including the submission of demons, which prompted Jesus' profound spiritual rejoicing. In this moment of exultation, Jesus offers a prayer of thanksgiving to the Father for revealing these truths to the humble rather than the wise, culminating in the declaration of His unique relationship with the Father in [Luke 10:21-22](/luke/10-21-22 "Luke 10:21-22 - Jesus' Prayer and Revelation"). This declaration serves as a theological anchor for the disciples' successful ministry, grounding their authority in Jesus' own divine authority and exclusive knowledge. The passage is also paralleled in [Matthew 11:27](/matthew/11-27 "Matthew 11:27 - Jesus' Authority and Revelation"), indicating its significance in the Synoptic tradition as a key Christological statement.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient world, especially within Jewish thought, knowledge of God was highly prized and often associated with divine revelation to prophets or through the Law. However, this knowledge was often mediated and partial. Jesus' declaration of an exclusive, reciprocal knowledge with the Father would have been revolutionary and audacious, placing Him in a unique, divine category. The concept of a "father" entrusting "all things" to his "son" resonated with cultural norms of inheritance and authority, where a son was the natural heir and representative of his father's estate and will. Yet, Jesus' claim transcends mere human analogy, speaking to a divine reality where the Father has fully delivered all authority and knowledge to the Son. This statement also implicitly challenges the prevailing Rabbinic understanding that access to God was primarily through strict adherence to the Law or through the wisdom of human teachers, asserting instead a direct and personal revelation through the Son.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 10:22 contributes significantly to several major themes found throughout Luke's Gospel and the broader New Testament. It powerfully establishes **Jesus' Divine Authority and Sovereignty**, asserting that "All things are delivered to me of my Father." This theme is foundational to understanding Jesus' ministry, miracles, and teachings, as seen in His authority over sickness, demons, and even the Sabbath, culminating in His post-resurrection declaration of "all authority" in [Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission"). The verse also highlights the **Exclusive and Intimate Relationship between the Father and the Son**, a core Trinitarian truth, emphasizing a mutual knowledge that no other being possesses. This deep, personal communion is the basis for the Son's unique role as **The Revealer of God**. The final clause, "and [he] to whom the Son will reveal [him]," underscores the critical New Testament theme that saving knowledge of God is not achieved by human striving but is a gracious act of divine disclosure through Jesus, as articulated in [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - The Word Made Flesh"). This theme of revelation also connects to the broader Lukan emphasis on the accessibility of the Gospel to the humble and marginalized, contrasting with the self-proclaimed wise.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **delivered (Greek, _paradídōmi'_):** (G3860) This word signifies a handing over, entrustment, or surrender. In this context, it emphasizes the Father's active and intentional act of conferring authority, power, and perhaps even the entirety of His redemptive plan and divine administration upon the Son. It implies a complete transfer of responsibility and dominion, not a mere delegation, underscoring the Son's comprehensive divine commission.
* **knoweth (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** (G1097) This term denotes a deep, personal, experiential knowledge, far beyond mere intellectual acquaintance or factual information. When applied to the Father and the Son, it describes an intimate, reciprocal, and essential understanding of each other's divine nature, will, and being. For humanity, this "knowing" of God through the Son implies a transformative, saving relationship, not just theological data.
* **reveal (Greek, _apokalýptō'_):** (G601) Meaning "to take off the cover" or "to disclose," this verb highlights the act of making known what was previously hidden or obscured. In the context of Luke 10:22, it signifies Jesus' exclusive prerogative and power to unveil the true nature of God the Father to humanity. This revelation is not automatic but is a sovereign act of the Son's will, emphasizing that access to the Father is entirely dependent on His gracious disclosure.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All things are delivered to me of my Father":** This clause asserts Jesus' universal authority and comprehensive commission. "All things" (Greek: _pâs_) signifies an absolute and complete entrustment, encompassing all power, judgment, and the entire redemptive plan. This authority is not self-assumed but divinely conferred by the Father, establishing Jesus' divine legitimacy and ultimate sovereignty over creation and salvation.
* **"and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father":** This declaration underscores the unique and exclusive identity of Jesus as the Son of God. His divine nature and essence are beyond human comprehension or discovery, known only by the Father. This highlights the mystery of the Son's person and His co-equality with the Father within the Godhead.
* **"and who the Father is, but the Son":** This parallel clause emphasizes the reciprocal and equally exclusive knowledge of the Son concerning the Father. Just as the Father perfectly knows the Son, so the Son perfectly knows the Father. This mutual, intimate knowledge is intrinsic to their divine relationship, establishing the Son's unique position as the perfect image and revealer of the invisible God.
* **"and [he] to whom the Son will reveal [him]":** This final, crucial clause reveals the sole means by which humanity can come to know the Father. Knowledge of the Father is not universally accessible through human reason or effort but is contingent upon the Son's sovereign will to disclose Him. This highlights Jesus' role as the exclusive mediator of revelation, emphasizing that salvation and true understanding of God are gifts bestowed by the Son, not achievements of human wisdom.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 10:22 masterfully employs **Parallelism** to underscore the reciprocal and exclusive knowledge shared between the Father and the Son. The structure "no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son" creates a balanced, emphatic statement that highlights the unique intimacy within the Godhead. This parallelism not only reinforces the co-equality and mutual understanding of the divine persons but also sets the stage for the crucial final clause. The verse also utilizes **Exclusivity** through the repeated use of "no man... but," emphasizing that access to and knowledge of God are not open to all by default but are strictly mediated through the Son's sovereign revelation. This linguistic choice elevates Jesus' position to one of unparalleled importance, making Him the sole conduit for divine truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 10:22 is a cornerstone passage for understanding the nature of God, the person of Christ, and the means of salvation. It provides a profound insight into the Trinitarian relationship, affirming the co-equality and distinct roles of the Father and the Son, bound by an eternal, intimate knowledge. Theologically, it asserts Jesus' absolute authority (divine commission) and His unique role as the quintessential revealer of God to humanity. This means that any true, saving knowledge of the Father is not achieved through human wisdom, philosophical speculation, or religious rituals, but is a gracious gift of revelation bestowed by the Son. It underscores the necessity of Christ as the mediator between God and humanity, without whom the Father remains unknown in a saving way.

* [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")
* [1 Corinthians 2:10-11](/1_corinthians/2-10-11 "The Spirit Reveals God's Deep Things")
* [Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1-3 "God Has Spoken Through His Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 10:22 calls us to a profound humility and a radical reliance on Jesus for all spiritual understanding. In a world that often champions self-discovery, human reason, and diverse paths to truth, this verse stands as a powerful counter-cultural declaration: true knowledge of God the Father is exclusively and graciously revealed by His Son. This truth should lead us to abandon any attempts to approach God through our own merits, intellect, or preferred spiritual practices, and instead, to humbly receive the revelation that Jesus offers. For believers, it deepens our appreciation for Jesus' unique person and work, reminding us that He is not merely a prophet or a teacher, but the very embodiment of divine revelation. For those seeking God, it points directly to Jesus as the sole gateway to a saving relationship with the Father, inviting us to trust in His gracious willingness to unveil divine truth. Our spiritual journey, therefore, is not about finding God through our own efforts, but about being found by God through the Son's gracious revelation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the exclusivity of Jesus' knowledge of the Father impact your understanding of His divine nature?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to seek knowledge of God apart from Jesus, and how can we guard against this?**
* **What does it mean for you personally that Jesus "will reveal" the Father, and how can you posture yourself to receive this revelation?**
* **How does this verse encourage you to share the Gospel, knowing that Jesus is the only way to truly know God?**

### FAQ
**Does Luke 10:22 imply that only Christians can know God?**

Answer: Yes, in a saving and intimate sense, Luke 10:22 strongly suggests that a true, saving knowledge of God the Father is mediated exclusively through Jesus the Son. The verse states, "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]." This implies that human beings, by their own efforts or innate wisdom, cannot fully grasp or enter into a right relationship with God. It is only through the Son's gracious and sovereign act of revelation that such knowledge becomes possible. This aligns with other New Testament passages, such as [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life"), where Jesus declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Therefore, while people may have a general awareness of a divine being, the deep, personal, and redemptive knowledge of God as Father is uniquely revealed through faith in Jesus Christ.

**What does "All things are delivered to me of my Father" signify about Jesus' authority?**

Answer: This phrase signifies Jesus' absolute, comprehensive, and divinely conferred authority over all creation and all aspects of God's redemptive plan. The Greek word for "delivered" (_paradídōmi_) implies a complete entrustment or handing over. It means that the Father has given the Son full dominion, power, and responsibility. This includes authority over salvation, judgment, the revelation of truth, and the establishment of God's kingdom. It's not merely a delegation of tasks but a sharing of divine prerogatives. This concept is foundational to understanding Jesus' claims throughout the Gospels, such as His authority to forgive sins ([Mark 2:10](/mark/2-10 "Mark 2:10 - The Son of Man Has Authority to Forgive Sins")) and His ultimate declaration of "all power... in heaven and in earth" after His resurrection ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission")). It establishes Jesus as the sovereign Lord, acting with the full backing and will of the Father.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 10:22 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' very person and redemptive work as the incarnate Son of God. He is not merely a messenger or a prophet, but the message itself, the living embodiment of God's revelation. This verse powerfully anticipates the full scope of Jesus' mission: to make the invisible God known. As the unique Son, Jesus perfectly knows the Father, and it is this intimate, eternal communion that qualifies Him, and Him alone, to disclose the Father to humanity. The "all things delivered" to Him by the Father culminate in His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, through which He accomplishes the Father's will and opens the way for humanity to truly know God. The promise that the Son "will reveal" the Father is fulfilled in His teaching, miracles, death, and resurrection, but supremely in the sending of the Holy Spirit, who continues to illuminate hearts to the truth of Christ ([John 16:13-15](/john/16-13-15 "John 16:13-15 - The Spirit of Truth Guides Into All Truth")). Thus, Jesus is not just the path to God; He is the very revelation of God, the one through whom we see the Father's glory, grace, and truth ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). To know Jesus is to know the Father ([John 14:7](/john/14-7 "John 14:7 - If You Have Seen Me, You Have Seen the Father")), making Him the indispensable center of all saving knowledge and access to God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 11:27

All 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].

John 1:18

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him].

John 6:44

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:46

Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.

John 10:15

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

2 John 1:9

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.