Matthew 11:26

Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

Even so {G3483}, Father {G3962}: for {G3754} so {G3779} it seemed {G1096} good {G2107} in thy {G4675} sight {G1715}.

Yes, Father, I thank you that it pleased you to do this.

Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.

yea, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in thy sight.

Commentary

Matthew 11:26 reads: "Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight." This concise declaration by Jesus is a profound affirmation of God's sovereign will and perfect wisdom, spoken as part of a prayer of thanksgiving to His Father.

Context

This verse is embedded within a significant passage where Jesus expresses both lament and praise. Immediately preceding this, Jesus rebukes the unrepentant cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their unbelief despite witnessing His mighty works. Following this, He then shifts to a prayer of thanksgiving, beginning in Matthew 11:25, where He thanks the Father for hiding spiritual truths from the "wise and prudent" and revealing them to "babes." Verse 26 serves as Jesus' complete and joyful acquiescence to this divine arrangement, affirming the Father's perfect plan.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Will: The central message of this verse is God's absolute control and wisdom in His plans. Jesus' phrase, "Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight," expresses His full agreement and submission to the Father's sovereign choices regarding who receives spiritual understanding. It underscores that God's ways are higher than human ways, and His decisions are always just and right.
  • God's Good Pleasure (Eudokia): The Greek word translated "seemed good" is eudokia (εὐδοκία), which carries the rich meaning of "good pleasure," "delight," "benevolent will," or "purpose." It signifies that God's actions are not arbitrary but stem from His perfect, loving, and wise disposition, bringing Him satisfaction. This implies a purposeful and intentional revelation.
  • Revelation to the Humble: This verse directly validates the preceding truth that God chooses to reveal profound spiritual truths and the mysteries of the Kingdom to those who are humble, childlike, and open-hearted (the "babes"), rather than to the intellectually proud or self-sufficient (the "wise and prudent"). This theme of divine reversal is also powerfully echoed in 1 Corinthians 1:27, where Paul speaks of God choosing the "foolish things of the world to confound the wise."

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "seemed good in thy sight" translates the Greek houtōs gar egeneto eudokia emprosthen sou. As mentioned, eudokia is key, signifying God's good pleasure or benevolent purpose. It's not merely that it "happened to seem good," but that it was a deliberate, joyful, and purposeful decision on God's part. This highlights the intentionality and divine wisdom behind the Father's revelation.

Practical Application

For believers today, Matthew 11:26 offers several vital insights:

  • Trust in God's Wisdom: We are called to trust in God's perfect wisdom and timing, even when His ways don't align with our human logic or expectations. This verse encourages a spirit of acceptance and peace concerning God's sovereign plan.
  • Embrace Humility: The passage emphasizes that spiritual understanding is a gift, not an achievement of human intellect. It encourages us to cultivate a humble, childlike dependence on God, recognizing our need for His divine revelation rather than relying on our own wisdom.
  • Finding Rest in His Will: Just as Jesus found perfect peace in the Father's will, we too can find rest in accepting that God's plan, though sometimes mysterious, is always good and purposeful for His glory and our ultimate benefit.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Timothy 1:9

    Who hath saved us, and called [us] with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

  • Job 33:13

    Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

  • Ephesians 1:11

    In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

  • Isaiah 46:10

    Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

  • Romans 11:33

    ¶ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

  • Romans 11:36

    For of him, and through him, and to him, [are] all things: to whom [be] glory for ever. Amen.

  • Ephesians 1:9

    Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
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