Matthew 11:26

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 11:26 is Jesus' profound and joyful affirmation of the Father's sovereign will and perfect wisdom, spoken within a prayer of thanksgiving. Following His lament over unrepentant cities, Jesus praises God for revealing spiritual truths to the humble and childlike ("babes") while concealing them from the intellectually proud ("wise and prudent"). This verse encapsulates Jesus' complete acquiescence and delight in God's deliberate and benevolent plan of revelation, underscoring that divine wisdom and purpose govern who receives spiritual understanding.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 11:26 is nestled within a pivotal section of Jesus' ministry, immediately following His pronouncements of judgment upon the unrepentant cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their unbelief despite witnessing His powerful miracles. The tone then dramatically shifts from lament to a prayer of thanksgiving, beginning in [Matthew 11:25](/matthew/11-25 "Matthew 11:25 - Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving"). Here, Jesus thanks the Father for His divine wisdom in choosing to hide profound spiritual truths from those who consider themselves "wise and prudent" in the world's eyes, yet revealing them to "babes"—the humble, simple, and open-hearted. Verse 26 serves as Jesus' emphatic "Amen" to this divine arrangement, expressing His full agreement and satisfaction with the Father's sovereign discretion in the dispensation of spiritual understanding. It is a declaration of perfect alignment with the Father's will.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judea, "wisdom" was often associated with the scribes, Pharisees, and religious elite, who meticulously studied the Law and traditions. They often held positions of authority and were respected for their intellectual prowess and adherence to religious customs. Conversely, "babes" (νηπίοις, _nēpiois_) would have referred to the unlearned, the common people, children, or those considered insignificant by the religious establishment. Jesus' statement directly challenges the prevailing cultural hierarchy of knowledge and status. It highlights a divine reversal where God bypasses human intellectual and social distinctions, choosing to reveal Himself to those with humble hearts, a concept that would have been counter-cultural and even scandalous to the religious leaders of the day. This context underscores the radical nature of Jesus' teaching on spiritual receptivity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Will**, affirming that God's plans and revelations are not arbitrary but stem from His perfect, unchallengeable wisdom and authority. Jesus' complete submission to this truth models profound trust. Secondly, the concept of **God's Good Pleasure** (from the Greek _eudokía_) is central, indicating that God's actions are purposeful, intentional, and bring Him delight, rather than being mere happenstance. This theme is echoed in passages like [Ephesians 1:9-11](/ephesians/1-9-11 "Ephesians 1:9-11 - God's Purpose According to His Will"). Thirdly, it highlights the **Revelation to the Humble**, reinforcing the idea that spiritual understanding is a gift bestowed upon those who approach God with childlike faith and humility, rather than intellectual arrogance. This divine preference for the humble over the proud is a recurring motif throughout scripture, as seen in [1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27 - God Chooses the Foolish to Shame the Wise").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Even so (Greek, _naí'_):** This primary particle is a strong affirmation, meaning "yes," "surely," or "verily." In this context, it conveys Jesus' emphatic and unreserved agreement with the Father's preceding action of revealing truths to "babes" and hiding them from the "wise." It signifies complete assent and a deep "Amen" to the Father's divine wisdom and choice.
* **Father (Greek, _patḗr'_):** This term, used frequently by Jesus, denotes an intimate and unique relationship. Here, it emphasizes the familial bond and profound trust Jesus has in God. It highlights that the sovereign will expressed is not that of a distant deity, but of a loving and wise Father, to whom Jesus is perfectly submissive and with whom He shares an unparalleled communion.
* **Good pleasure (Greek, _eudokía'_):** While the KJV translates "seemed good," the underlying Greek word _eudokía_ carries a much richer meaning than mere appearance. Derived from _eu_ (good) and _dokéō_ (to think, to seem), it signifies "satisfaction," "delight," "benevolent will," or "purpose." It implies that God's decision was not arbitrary but stemmed from His perfect, intentional, and joyful disposition, bringing Him satisfaction and demonstrating His purposeful design in revelation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Even so, Father":** This opening phrase expresses Jesus' immediate and complete affirmation of the Father's actions and wisdom. It is an utterance of profound agreement and submission, demonstrating Jesus' perfect unity of will with God the Father. The address "Father" underscores the intimate and trusting relationship between them, making Jesus' assent all the more significant.
* **"for so it seemed good":** This clause explains the reason for Jesus' affirmation. The phrase "seemed good" (Greek _egeneto eudokía_) signifies that the Father's decision to reveal truths to the humble was not a random occurrence but a deliberate act of His "good pleasure" or "benevolent will." It emphasizes the intentionality and divine satisfaction inherent in God's sovereign choice regarding spiritual understanding.
* **"in thy sight":** This final phrase reinforces the divine perspective and authority. It means "in your presence" or "in your estimation." It confirms that the Father's decision is perfectly just and wise from His own divine vantage point, regardless of how it might appear or be understood by human wisdom. It underscores that God's ways are beyond human questioning and are always perfectly aligned with His character.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Affirmation** is central, with Jesus' emphatic "Even so" serving as a powerful declaration of assent to the Father's will. This is immediately followed by **Causal Reasoning** ("for so it seemed good"), providing the divine justification for the Father's actions. There is an implied **Contrast** with the preceding context, where the "wise and prudent" are contrasted with "babes," highlighting God's paradoxical method of revelation. The phrase "in thy sight" functions as a **Theological Statement**, asserting the ultimate authority and righteousness of God's perspective. Finally, the entire verse is a part of a **Prayer**, demonstrating Jesus' profound communion and perfect submission to the Father's sovereign plan.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 11:26 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of God's sovereignty and the means of divine revelation. It teaches that God's wisdom transcends human understanding, and His decisions, though sometimes appearing counter-intuitive to the "wise," are always rooted in His perfect "good pleasure" and benevolent will. This verse underscores that spiritual truth is not earned through intellectual prowess or worldly status but is a gift freely given by God to those He chooses, particularly the humble and receptive. It challenges human pride and calls for a posture of childlike dependence on God for true understanding, revealing that the Kingdom of Heaven is revealed not to the self-sufficient, but to those who acknowledge their need for divine grace.

* [Romans 9:15-16](/romans/9-15-16 "Romans 9:15-16 - God's Sovereignty in Showing Mercy")
* [1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27-29 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Weak to Shame the Strong")
* [Ephesians 1:9-11](/ephesians/1-9-11 "Ephesians 1:9-11 - God's Purpose According to His Will")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 11:26 invites believers into a posture of profound trust and humility before God. In a world that often values intellectual achievement and self-reliance, this verse reminds us that true spiritual insight is a divine gift, not a human accomplishment. We are called to embrace a childlike dependence on God, recognizing that His ways are higher than our ways, and His wisdom surpasses all human understanding. This means accepting His sovereign choices, even when they challenge our logic or expectations, and finding peace in the knowledge that His "good pleasure" always stems from perfect love and wisdom. By cultivating humility, we open ourselves to receive the profound truths of God's Kingdom, finding rest in His perfect plan and purpose for our lives, just as Jesus found perfect peace in His Father's will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust God's wisdom and timing, especially when His ways seem counter-intuitive to your own?**
* **How does the concept of God revealing truth to "babes" challenge your own understanding of wisdom and knowledge?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a more humble, childlike dependence on God for spiritual understanding?**
* **How can embracing God's "good pleasure" (eudokía) bring you greater peace and contentment in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**What does "Even so, Father" signify about Jesus' attitude?**

Answer: "Even so, Father" (Greek _naí, patḗr_) signifies Jesus' profound and complete affirmation, agreement, and submission to the Father's will. It's an emphatic "Yes, Father!" that expresses perfect unity of purpose and absolute trust. This phrase reveals Jesus' unreserved acceptance of God's sovereign plan, even the seemingly paradoxical decision to reveal spiritual truths to the humble ("babes") while concealing them from the "wise and prudent." It demonstrates His perfect example of filial obedience and delight in the Father's good pleasure, echoing His later prayer in [Gethsemane, "Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane").

**How does God's 'good pleasure' (eudokía) relate to His revelation?**

Answer: God's "good pleasure" (Greek _eudokía_) is central to understanding His revelation. It means that God's decision to reveal spiritual truths to certain individuals (the "babes") is not arbitrary or accidental but stems from His intentional, purposeful, and benevolent will, bringing Him satisfaction. It implies that God delights in His sovereign choices regarding who receives spiritual understanding. This concept highlights that salvation and spiritual insight are not earned by human merit or intellect but are gracious gifts bestowed according to God's wise and loving design. It underscores that God's actions are always consistent with His perfect character and bring Him glory, as seen in [Ephesians 1:5, where believers are predestined "according to the good pleasure of his will."](/ephesians/1-5 "Ephesians 1:5 - Predestined According to His Good Pleasure").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 11:26, while a prayer of Jesus, profoundly points to His central role in God's sovereign plan of revelation. Jesus Himself is the ultimate revelation of the Father, as [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No one has seen God, but the Son has revealed Him") declares that "no one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known." The "babes" to whom the Father reveals truth are precisely those who, in humility and childlike faith, receive Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Jesus' perfect "Even so, Father" foreshadows His complete obedience to the Father's will, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross—the ultimate act of submission to God's good pleasure for the salvation of humanity ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Thus, this verse not only affirms God's sovereign wisdom but also highlights Christ as the embodiment of that wisdom and the sole conduit through whom the Father's saving truths are revealed to those who humbly believe.

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

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: