Matthew 11:27

KJV

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].

KJV (with Strong's)

All things {G3956} are delivered {G3860} unto me {G3427} of {G5259} my {G3450} Father {G3962}: and {G2532} no man {G3762} knoweth {G1921} the Son {G5207}, but {G1508} the Father {G3962}; neither {G3761} knoweth {G1921} any man {G5100} the Father {G3962}, save {G1508} the Son {G5207}, and he {G2532} to {G3739} whomsoever {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 the Son except the Father, and no one fully knows the Father 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 the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father 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 the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 11:27 is a profound declaration by Jesus, asserting His unique and unparalleled authority received from the Father, and establishing the exclusive and intimate knowledge shared between the divine persons of the Trinity. Crucially, it reveals that humanity's access to a true, saving knowledge of God the Father is solely mediated through God the Son, emphasizing that spiritual understanding is a divine gift revealed by Christ, not achieved through human intellect or effort.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a significant discourse by Jesus. It follows His lament over the unrepentant Galilean cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, where He pronounced woes upon them for their unbelief despite witnessing His mighty works ([Matthew 11:20-24](/matthew/11-20-24 "Jesus' Woes to Unrepentant Cities")). Immediately preceding verse 27, Jesus offers a prayer of thanksgiving to the Father for sovereignly hiding divine truths from the "wise and prudent" and revealing them instead to "babes" or the humble ([Matthew 11:25-26](/matthew/11-25-26 "Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving")). Verse 27 then serves as the theological bedrock for *how* this revelation occurs, emphasizing that the Son is the indispensable agent of this divine disclosure. This profound statement then naturally leads into Jesus' gracious invitation to the "weary and heavy-laden" to find rest in Him ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Jesus' Invitation to Rest")). Thus, the verse bridges Jesus' judgment on unbelief with His offer of grace and revelation, positioning the Son as the sole pathway to the Father and true spiritual rest.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' declaration in Matthew 11:27 would have been revolutionary and deeply challenging to the prevailing Jewish religious thought of His time. The Jewish leaders, particularly the Pharisees and scribes, prided themselves on their extensive knowledge of the Law and their intellectual understanding of God, often believing that such knowledge was attained through rigorous study and adherence to tradition. Jesus' statement directly confronts this by asserting that true knowledge of God is not an intellectual achievement or a result of human wisdom, but a divine revelation. The concept of an exclusive, intimate relationship between God the Father and a unique "Son" would have been scandalous to those who upheld a strict monotheism without understanding the Trinitarian nature of God. Furthermore, the idea that "all things are delivered" to Jesus speaks to a Messianic authority that far surpassed any human king or prophet, resonating with Old Testament prophecies of a sovereign, divine Messiah, yet presenting it in a way that defied contemporary expectations of a political deliverer.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 11:27 encapsulates several critical theological and narrative themes. Firstly, it powerfully asserts **Jesus' Divine Authority and Sovereignty**. The phrase "All things are delivered unto me of my Father" speaks to His unparalleled dominion over creation, salvation, and revelation, underscoring His divine nature and role as the Father's appointed agent. This theme is echoed throughout Matthew's Gospel, culminating in Jesus' post-resurrection declaration of "all authority... in heaven and in earth" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "The Great Commission and Jesus' Authority")). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Exclusive and Intimate Knowledge of the Trinity**. The reciprocal knowledge between the Father and the Son ("no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son") points to a unique, essential, and eternal communion within the Godhead, a mystery far beyond human comprehension or attainment. This Trinitarian intimacy is foundational to Christian theology. Thirdly, and most critically for humanity, the verse establishes **The Son as the Sole Revealer of the Father**. The concluding clause, "and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him," unequivocally positions Jesus as the indispensable mediator and the exclusive means by which anyone can come to a saving, personal knowledge of God. This truth is central to the New Testament's understanding of salvation and access to God, as articulated by Jesus Himself in [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life") and further expounded by John in [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "No One Has Seen God Except the Son").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **delivered (Greek, _paradídōmi'_):** This word, from παρά and δίδωμι, means "to surrender, i.e. yield up, intrust, transmit." In this context, it signifies a complete and authoritative transfer of all things—authority, judgment, revelation, and the administration of God's kingdom—from the Father to the Son. It implies a divine commission and a profound trust, underscoring Jesus' legitimate claim to universal dominion.
* **knoweth (Greek, _epiginṓskō'_):** Derived from ἐπί and γινώσκω, this term means "to know upon some mark, i.e. recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge." It implies a deep, personal, experiential, and intimate knowledge, far beyond mere intellectual acquaintance or factual information. When applied to the Father and Son, it speaks of their perfect, essential, and eternal communion. When applied to the Son revealing the Father, it means enabling a genuine, personal relationship with God, not just head knowledge.
* **reveal (Greek, _apokalýptō'_):** From ἀπό and καλύπτω, this word literally means "to take off the cover, i.e. disclose." It refers to the act of making known what was previously hidden or unknown. In this verse, it highlights that the knowledge of the Father is not inherently accessible to humanity but must be unveiled or disclosed by the Son through His teaching, life, death, and resurrection, and through the work of the Holy Spirit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All things are delivered unto me of my Father:"** This opening clause asserts the absolute and comprehensive authority granted to Jesus by God the Father. "All things" (G3956 `pâs`) signifies universal dominion, encompassing all power, judgment, and the administration of God's redemptive plan. The passive voice "are delivered" (G3860 `paradídōmi`) emphasizes that this authority is not self-assumed but divinely bestowed, highlighting the Father's sovereign will in exalting the Son. This establishes Jesus' divine prerogative and His unique position as the Father's appointed agent.
* **"and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father;"** This clause declares the profound mystery of the Son's identity and nature. The word "knoweth" (G1921 `epiginṓskō`) implies an intimate, comprehensive, and essential understanding. It asserts that the Son's true being, His divine essence, and His unique relationship with the Father are fully and perfectly known only by the Father Himself. This underscores the Son's divine, transcendent nature, which is beyond human or even angelic comprehension.
* **"neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son,"** This is the reciprocal truth to the previous clause. Just as only the Father fully knows the Son, so too only the Son fully knows the Father. This speaks to the unique, eternal, and essential communion within the Godhead. The Son possesses an unparalleled, perfect, and inherent knowledge of the Father's character, will, and nature, by virtue of His being eternally begotten of the Father. This mutual, exclusive knowledge highlights the co-equality and co-eternality of the Father and the Son within the Trinity.
* **"and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him."** This crucial concluding phrase provides humanity's only access point to a true knowledge of God the Father. The knowledge of the Father is not self-evident or attainable through human effort, intellect, or religious rituals. Instead, it is a gracious act of divine revelation mediated exclusively through the Son. The phrase "will reveal him" (G601 `apokalýptō`) signifies an active, intentional disclosure by the Son, implying that this revelation is not forced but given to those whom the Son chooses to enlighten, often described elsewhere as those who are humble and receptive.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 11:27 employs several powerful literary devices. **Parallelism** is evident in the reciprocal statements about knowing the Father and the Son ("no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son"). This symmetrical structure emphasizes the unique and essential relationship between the two divine persons. The verse also features **Exclusivity**, particularly in the repeated use of "but" (G1508 `ei mḗ`) and "save" (G1508 `ei mḗ`), which underscore the singular nature of the Father's knowledge of the Son and the Son's knowledge of the Father, and consequently, the Son's exclusive role in revealing the Father to humanity. There is an element of **Paradox** in that the most profound truths about God are hidden from the "wise and prudent" (as stated in the preceding verses) yet revealed to "babes" through the Son. This highlights the counter-intuitive nature of divine wisdom compared to human wisdom. Finally, the entire verse functions as a profound theological **Declaration**, a definitive statement of Christ's identity, authority, and redemptive mission, serving as a cornerstone for understanding the nature of God and the means of salvation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 11:27 is a cornerstone for understanding the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and the necessity of Christ's mediation. It asserts the co-equality and co-inherence of the Father and the Son, demonstrating a unique, eternal, and essential communion within the Godhead that is beyond human comprehension. This verse underscores that true knowledge of God is not an intellectual pursuit or a result of human merit, but a sovereign act of divine revelation, graciously bestowed by the Son. It highlights that apart from Christ, humanity remains in spiritual darkness, unable to truly apprehend the Father's character or enter into a saving relationship with Him. This truth establishes Jesus as the sole mediator between God and humanity, the only "way, the truth, and the life" through whom one can come to the Father.

* [John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God Except the Son")
* [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")
* [1 Corinthians 2:10-11](/1_corinthians/2-10-11 "1 Corinthians 2:10-11 - The Spirit Reveals Deep Things of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 11:27 invites us to a profound humility and a deep reliance on Jesus Christ for our understanding of God. In a world that often seeks knowledge through human intellect, scientific discovery, or personal experience, this verse reminds us that the most vital knowledge—the knowledge of God—is not something we can attain on our own. It is a gift, a gracious unveiling by the Son. This should lead us to abandon any self-sufficient striving for spiritual enlightenment and instead turn wholeheartedly to Jesus, trusting in His authority and His unique ability to reveal the Father. Our salvation and our very relationship with God depend entirely on His willingness and power to disclose Himself. This verse offers immense comfort, assuring us that even though God is transcendent and mysterious, He has provided a clear and accessible path to Himself through His Son. It calls us to embrace Jesus not merely as a teacher or prophet, but as the divine Son who holds the keys to knowing the Father, and to eagerly seek His revelation through His Word and Spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the exclusivity of knowing the Father through the Son challenge or affirm your current understanding of spiritual truth?**
* **In what ways might you be relying on your own intellect or efforts to know God, rather than on Christ's revelation?**
* **What does it mean for you personally that "all things are delivered" to Jesus by the Father? How does this impact your trust in His authority?**
* **How can you more intentionally seek Jesus' revelation of the Father in your daily life and study of Scripture?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean that God is unknowable to those who do not believe in Jesus?**

Answer: Yes, in a profound and salvific sense. Matthew 11:27 teaches that a true, intimate, and saving knowledge of God the Father is exclusively mediated through God the Son. While humanity can perceive aspects of God's existence and power through creation ([Romans/1-20](/romans/1-20 "Romans 1:20 - God's Invisible Qualities Are Clearly Seen")), a personal, redemptive relationship with the Father, and a deep understanding of His character and will, is only possible as the Son "will reveal Him." This means that without embracing Jesus Christ as the Son of God and relying on His revelation, one cannot genuinely "know" the Father in a way that leads to eternal life and true communion. Jesus Himself declared, "No one comes to the Father except through me" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")).

**What does "all things are delivered unto me of my Father" imply about Jesus' authority?**

Answer: This statement implies Jesus' absolute and universal authority. The phrase "all things" (G3956 `pâs`) is comprehensive, signifying that the Father has entrusted to the Son complete power, dominion, and responsibility over creation, judgment, and the entire plan of salvation. This includes the authority to reveal the Father, to forgive sins, to execute judgment, and to administer the kingdom of God. It underscores Jesus' divine nature and His unique role as the Father's appointed agent and co-equal partner in the Godhead. This authority is not merely delegated power for a specific task but an inherent, shared authority that affirms His deity, as further emphasized in [Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 11:27 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ as the incarnate Son. He is not merely a messenger from God, but God the Son, the one in eternal, intimate communion with the Father, who alone possesses perfect knowledge of Him. The "revelation" spoken of in this verse is not just through Jesus' words, but supremely through His very being, His life, His atoning death, and His resurrection. In His incarnation, the invisible God became visible, and the unknowable Father was made known through the Son who "is in the bosom of the Father" ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God Except the Son")). Jesus perfectly embodied the Father's character, demonstrating His love, justice, and mercy. His sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate act of revelation, unveiling the Father's profound love for humanity ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Through His resurrection, He demonstrated His victory over sin and death, confirming the authority "delivered unto Him" and His power to grant eternal life to those whom He reveals the Father to. Thus, to know Jesus is to know the Father, for "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father" ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Philip, Whoever Has Seen Me Has Seen the Father")). The Son's ongoing work through the Holy Spirit continues to reveal the Father to believers, drawing them into that intimate knowledge and relationship that was once exclusively shared within the Godhead, now graciously extended to all who believe in the Son.

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

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14:9

Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou [then], Shew us the Father?

Matthew 28:18

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Luke 10:22

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].

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.

John 17:25

O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

John 17:26

And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare [it]: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.