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For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’” <a href="/esv/matthew/21.htm">English Standard Version</a> and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?” <a href="/bsb/matthew/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. “Yes,” Jesus answered. “Have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?” <a href="/blb/matthew/21.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and said to Him, "Do you hear what these say?" And Jesus says to them, "Yes, have you never read: 'Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings You have prepared for yourself praise'?" <a href="/kjv/matthew/21.htm">King James Bible</a> And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? <a href="/nkjv/matthew/21.htm">New King James Version</a> and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?” <a href="/nasb_/matthew/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> and they said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘FROM THE MOUTHS OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES YOU HAVE PREPARED PRAISE FOR YOURSELF’?” <a href="/nasb/matthew/21.htm">NASB 1995</a> and said to Him, &#8220Do You hear what these children are saying?&#8221 And Jesus said to them, &#8220Yes; have you never read, &#8216OUT OF THE MOUTH OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES YOU HAVE PREPARED PRAISE FOR YOURSELF&#8217?&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/matthew/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a> and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘OUT OF THE MOUTH OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABES THOU HAST PREPARED PRAISE FOR THYSELF’?” <a href="/lsb/matthew/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> and said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘OUT OF THE MOUTH OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES YOU HAVE PREPARED PRAISE FOR YOURSELF’?” <a href="/amp/matthew/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a> and they said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus replied to them, “Yes; have you never read [in the Scripture], ‘OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES YOU HAVE PREPARED and PROVIDED PRAISE FOR YOURSELF’?” <a href="/csb/matthew/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> and said to him, “Do you hear what these children are saying? ” Jesus replied, “Yes, have you never read: You have prepared praise from the mouths of infants and nursing babies? ” <a href="/hcsb/matthew/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> and said to Him, &#8220Do You hear what these children are saying?&#8221 &#8220Yes,&#8221 Jesus told them. &#8220Have you never read: You have prepared praise from the mouths of children and nursing infants?&#8221 <a href="/asv/matthew/21.htm">American Standard Version</a> and said unto him, Hearest thou what these are saying? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea: did ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? <a href="/cev/matthew/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> The men said to Jesus, "Don't you hear what those children are saying?" "Yes, I do!" Jesus answered. "Don't you know that the Scriptures say, 'Children and infants will sing praises'?" <a href="/erv/matthew/21.htm">English Revised Version</a> and said unto him, Hearest thou what these are saying? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea: did ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? <a href="/gwt/matthew/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> They said to him, "Do you hear what these children are saying?" Jesus replied, "Yes, I do. Have you never read, 'From the mouths of little children and infants, you have created praise'?" <a href="/gnt/matthew/21.htm">Good News Translation</a> So they asked Jesus, "Do you hear what they are saying?" "Indeed I do," answered Jesus. "Haven't you ever read this scripture? 'You have trained children and babies to offer perfect praise.'" <a href="/isv/matthew/21.htm">International Standard Version</a> and asked him, "Do you hear what these people are saying?" Jesus told them, "Yes! Haven't you ever read, 'From the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have created praise'?" <a href="/msb/matthew/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?Do You hear what these children are saying?? they asked. ?Yes,? Jesus answered. ?Have you never read: ?From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise??? <a href="/net/matthew/21.htm">NET Bible</a> and said to him, "Do you hear what they are saying?" Jesus said to them, "Yes. Have you never read, 'Out of the mouths of children and nursing infants you have prepared praise for yourself'?" <a href="/nheb/matthew/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> and said to him, "Do you hear what these are saying?" Jesus said to them, "Yes. Did you never read, 'Out of the mouth of children and infants you have prepared praise?'" <a href="/wbt/matthew/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And said to him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith to them, Yes: have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? <a href="/wey/matthew/21.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Do you hear," they asked Him, "what these children are saying?" "Yes," He replied; "have you never read, 'Out of the mouths of infants and of babes at the breast Thou hast brought forth the praise which is due'?" <a href="/web/matthew/21.htm">World English Bible</a> and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of children and nursing babies, you have perfected praise?’” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and they said to Him, “Do You hear what these say?” And Jesus says to them, “Yes, did you never read, that, Out of the mouth of babies and sucklings You prepared praise?” <a href="/blb/matthew/21.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and said to Him, "Do you hear what these say?" And Jesus says to them, "Yes, have you never read: 'Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings You have prepared for yourself praise'?" <a href="/ylt/matthew/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and they said to him, 'Hearest thou what these say?' And Jesus saith to them, 'Yes, did ye never read, that, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou didst prepare praise?' <a href="/slt/matthew/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they said to him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus says to them, Yes; have ye never read, That out of the mouths of young children and sucklings thou hast adjusted praise?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And said to him: Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus said to them: Yea, have you never read: Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings thou hast perfected praise? <a href="/cpdv/matthew/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And they said to him, “Do you hear what these ones are saying?” But Jesus said to them, “Certainly. Have you never read: For out of the mouth of babes and infants, you have perfected praise?” <a href="/nabre/matthew/21.htm">New American Bible</a> and said to him, “Do you hear what they are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes; and have you never read the text, ‘Out of the mouths of infants and nurslings you have brought forth praise’?” <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise for yourself’?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And they said to him, Do you hear what they are saying? Jesus said to them, Yes; have you never read, From the mouth of little children and of boys you made praise? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/21.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And they were saying to him, “Have you heard what these are saying?” Yeshua said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, 'From the mouth of children and infants you have composed a song of praise?' “<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/21.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> and they said to him: Do you not hear what these say? And Jesus said to them: Yes; have you never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? <a href="/godbey/matthew/21.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> and said to Him, Do you hear what they are saying? And Jesus says to them, <FR>Yes: have you not read, That out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/21.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> and said to him, Hearest thou what these say? Jesus replied to them, Yes; but have ye never read, ?That out of the mouths of infants and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?? <a href="/mace/matthew/21.htm">Mace New Testament</a> and said to him, do you hear what they say? yes, said Jesus; have ye never read, "out of the mouth of babes and sucklings I will make a consort of praise?" <a href="/wey/matthew/21.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Do you hear," they asked Him, "what these children are saying?" "Yes," He replied; "have you never read, 'Out of the mouths of infants and of babes at the breast Thou hast brought forth the praise which is due'?" <a href="/worrell/matthew/21.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> and said to Him, "Dost Thou hear what these are saying?" And Jesus saith to them, <FR>"Yes; did ye never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou didst perfect praise!'"<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/21.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And Jesus saith unto them, <FR>Yes, have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast procured praise?<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/21-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=6053" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/21.htm">Jesus Cleanses the Temple</a> …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<a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: Akoueis (V-PIA-2S) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">“Do You hear</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">what</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: houtoi (DPro-NMP) -- This; he, she, it. ">these children</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legousin (V-PIA-3P) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">are saying?”</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipan (V-AIA-3P) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">they asked.</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/3483.htm" title="3483: Nai (Prtcl) -- Yes, certainly, even so. A primary particle of strong affirmation; yes.">“Yes,” </a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">Jesus</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legei (V-PIA-3S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">answered.</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/3763.htm" title="3763: oudepote (Adv) -- Never. From oude and pote; not even at any time, i.e. Never at all."></a> <a href="/greek/314.htm" title="314: anegnōte (V-AIA-2P) -- To read, know again, know certainly, recognize, discern. From ana and ginosko; to know again, i.e. to read.">“Have you never read: </a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because."></a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: Ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">‘From</a> <a href="/greek/4750.htm" title="4750: stomatos (N-GNS) -- The mouth, speech, eloquence in speech, the point of a sword. ">the mouths</a> <a href="/greek/3516.htm" title="3516: nēpiōn (Adj-GMP) -- From an obsolete particle ne- and epos; not speaking, i.e. An infant; figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature Christian.">of children</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2337.htm" title="2337: thēlazontōn (V-PPA-GMP) -- (a) I give suck, (b) I suck. From thele; to suckle, to suck.">infants</a> <a href="/greek/2675.htm" title="2675: Katērtisō (V-AIM-2S) -- From kata and a derivative of artios; to complete thoroughly, i.e. Repair or adjust.">You have ordained</a> <a href="/greek/136.htm" title="136: ainon (N-AMS) -- Praise. Apparently a prime word; properly, a story, but used in the sense of epainos; praise.">praise’?”</a> 17Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where He spent the night.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/psalms/8-2.htm">Psalm 8:2</a> From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise on account of Your adversaries, to silence the enemy and avenger. <a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25</a> At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. <a href="/luke/10-21.htm">Luke 10:21</a> At that time Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight. <a href="/hebrews/2-6.htm">Hebrews 2:6-8</a> But somewhere it is testified in these words: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? / You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor / and placed everything under his feet.” When God subjected all things to him, He left nothing outside of his control. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27</a> But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. <a href="/isaiah/29-14.htm">Isaiah 29:14</a> Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.” <a href="/1_peter/2-2.htm">1 Peter 2:2</a> Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, <a href="/psalms/118-22.htm">Psalm 118:22-23</a> The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. / This is from the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes. <a href="/isaiah/28-16.htm">Isaiah 28:16</a> So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken. <a href="/ephesians/2-20.htm">Ephesians 2:20</a> built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. <a href="/mark/12-10.htm">Mark 12:10-11</a> Have you never read this Scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. / This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?” <a href="/luke/20-17.htm">Luke 20:17</a> But Jesus looked directly at them and said, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? <a href="/acts/4-11.htm">Acts 4:11</a> This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ <a href="/romans/9-33.htm">Romans 9:33</a> as it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” <a href="/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">1 Corinthians 3:19</a> For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And said to him, Hear you what these say? And Jesus said to them, Yes; have you never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings you have perfected praise?Hearest.<a href="/luke/19-39.htm">Luke 19:39,40</a> And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples… <a href="/john/11-47.htm">John 11:47,48</a> Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles… <a href="/acts/4-16.htm">Acts 4:16-18</a> Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it… have.<a href="/matthew/12-3.htm">Matthew 12:3</a> But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;<a href="/matthew/19-4.htm">Matthew 19:4</a> And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,<a href="/matthew/22-31.htm">Matthew 22:31</a> But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,Out.<a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25</a> At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.<a href="/psalms/8-2.htm">Psalm 8:2</a> Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Babes</a> <a href="/psalms/8-2.htm">Babies</a> <a href="/matthew/11-17.htm">Breast</a> <a href="/matthew/21-15.htm">Children</a> <a href="/matthew/19-21.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/matthew/20-29.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/matthew/18-17.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/psalms/65-2.htm">Hearest</a> <a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Infants</a> <a href="/matthew/21-12.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/matthew/18-16.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/matthew/18-16.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-7.htm">Mouths</a> <a href="/joel/2-16.htm">Nursing</a> <a href="/matthew/8-4.htm">Ordained</a> <a href="/matthew/19-21.htm">Perfect</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-11.htm">Perfected</a> <a href="/matthew/15-36.htm">Praise</a> <a href="/matthew/11-10.htm">Prepare</a> <a href="/matthew/20-23.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/matthew/19-4.htm">Read</a> <a href="/micah/2-9.htm">Sucklings</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/10-21.htm">Babes</a> <a href="/matthew/24-19.htm">Babies</a> <a href="/matthew/24-19.htm">Breast</a> <a href="/matthew/21-28.htm">Children</a> <a href="/matthew/24-34.htm">Complete</a> <a href="/matthew/21-17.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/matthew/27-13.htm">Hearest</a> <a href="/matthew/24-19.htm">Infants</a> <a href="/matthew/21-21.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/mark/6-14.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/mark/7-33.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/matthew/22-34.htm">Mouths</a> <a href="/matthew/24-19.htm">Nursing</a> <a href="/mark/1-44.htm">Ordained</a> <a href="/mark/4-28.htm">Perfect</a> <a href="/luke/6-40.htm">Perfected</a> <a href="/matthew/26-27.htm">Praise</a> <a href="/matthew/26-12.htm">Prepare</a> <a href="/matthew/22-2.htm">Prepared</a> <a href="/matthew/21-42.htm">Read</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-19.htm">Sucklings</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 21</div>1. <a href="/matthew/21-1.htm">Jesus rides into Jerusalem upon a donkey</a> 12. <a href="/matthew/21-12.htm">drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple;</a> 17. <a href="/matthew/21-17.htm">curses the fig tree;</a> 23. <a href="/matthew/21-23.htm">puts to silence the priests and elders,</a> 28. <a href="/matthew/21-28.htm">and rebukes them by the parable of the two sons,</a> 33. <a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">and the husbandmen who slew such as were sent to them.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>“Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. The religious leaders, likely the chief priests and scribes, are questioning Jesus about the children's cries of "Hosanna to the Son of David" (<a href="/matthew/21-15.htm">Matthew 21:15</a>). This title acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah, a significant claim that the leaders find troubling. In Jewish tradition, the Messiah was expected to be a political and military leader, and the leaders are concerned about the implications of this public acclamation. The setting is the temple in Jerusalem, a place of significant religious authority, which adds to the tension of the moment.“Yes,” Jesus answered. Jesus affirms that He hears the children, indicating His acceptance of their praise. This response is significant because it shows Jesus' willingness to receive worship, a role reserved for God, thus reinforcing His divine identity. His affirmation also challenges the religious leaders' authority and understanding of the Messiah.“Have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?” Jesus quotes <a href="/psalms/8-2.htm">Psalm 8:2</a>, a psalm of David, which speaks of God's strength being established through the praise of children. By referencing this scripture, Jesus highlights the purity and truth of the children's praise, contrasting it with the skepticism of the religious leaders. This citation also underscores the theme of God using the humble and seemingly insignificant to reveal His glory. The use of this psalm connects Jesus to the Davidic line and emphasizes His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. The phrase suggests that God has ordained or established praise from the most innocent and humble, indicating that true worship comes from a place of sincerity and purity.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a> The central figure in this passage, responding to the chief priests and scribes with authority and scriptural knowledge. 2. <a href="/topical/c/children.htm">Children</a> Represent innocence and purity, and are the ones offering praise to Jesus in the temple. 3. <a href="/topical/c/chief_priests_and_scribes.htm">Chief Priests and Scribes</a> Religious leaders who are questioning Jesus, showing their skepticism and misunderstanding of His identity. 4. <a href="/topical/t/temple.htm">Temple</a> The setting of this event, a place of worship and teaching, where Jesus is being praised by the children. 5. <a href="/topical/p/psalm_8_-2.htm">Psalm 8:2</a> The Old Testament scripture Jesus quotes, highlighting the ordained praise from children and infants.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/c/childlike_faith_and_praise.htm">Childlike Faith and Praise</a> Embrace a heart of innocence and purity in worship, as children naturally do. <a href="/topical/s/scriptural_fulfillment.htm">Scriptural Fulfillment</a> Recognize how Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecies, affirming His identity as the Messiah. <a href="/topical/c/challenge_to_religious_authority.htm">Challenge to Religious Authority</a> Understand that true worship and recognition of Jesus may come from unexpected places, challenging established norms. <a href="/topical/g/god's_use_of_the_humble.htm">God's Use of the Humble</a> Acknowledge that God often uses the humble and seemingly insignificant to reveal His glory and truth. <a href="/topical/i/importance_of_knowing_scripture.htm">Importance of Knowing Scripture</a> Jesus' response underscores the importance of knowing and understanding scripture to discern truth and respond to challenges.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 21</a> <a href="/q/whose_is_the_earth.htm">What does 'Out of the Mouth of Babes' mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'walking_in_truth'_mean.htm">What defines the Church Triumphant?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'out_of_the_mouth_of_babes'_mean.htm">What does "Out of the Mouth of Babes" mean?</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_prayer_and_fasting.htm">What does the Bible say about prayer and fasting?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) Hearest thou what these say?--The priests and scribes had probably remained in the Temple, and had not heard the Hosannas which were raised on the Mount of Olives. The shouts of the children were therefore a surprise to them, and they turned to the Teacher and asked whether He accepted them in the sense in which they were addressed to Him. Had He really entered the Temple claiming to be the expected Christ? Did He approve this interruption of the order and quiet of its courts?Have ye never read?--Better, did ye never read? The question was one which our Lord frequently asked in reasoning with the scribes who opposed Him (<a href="/matthew/12-3.htm" title="But he said to them, Have you not read what David did, when he was an hungered, and they that were with him;">Matthew 12:3</a>; <a href="/matthew/12-5.htm" title="Or have you not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?">Matthew 12:5</a>; <a href="/matthew/19-4.htm" title="And he answered and said to them, Have you not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,">Matthew 19:4</a>; <a href="/matthew/21-42.htm" title="Jesus said to them, Did you never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?">Matthew 21:42</a>; <a href="/matthew/22-31.htm" title="But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have you not read that which was spoken to you by God, saying,">Matthew 22:31</a>). It expressed very forcibly the estimate which He formed of their character as interpreters. They spent their lives in the study of the Law, and yet they perverted its meaning, and could not see its bearing on the events that passed around them. In this instance He cites the words of <a href="/psalms/8-2.htm" title="Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings have you ordained strength because of your enemies, that you might still the enemy and the avenger.">Psalm 8:2</a>, the primary meaning of which appears to be that the child's wonder at the marvels of Creation is the truest worship. As applied by our Lord their lesson was the same. The cries of the children were the utterance of a truth which the priests and scribes rejected. To Him, to whom the innocent brightness of childhood was a delight, they were more acceptable than the half-hearted, self-seeking homage of older worshippers. The words are quoted from the LXX. translation. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 16. - Hearest thou what these say? They profess a great zeal for God's honour. They recognize that these cries implied high homage, if not actual worship, and appeal to Jesus to put a stop to such unseemly behaviour, approaching, as they would pretend, to formal blasphemy. Yea. Jesus replies that he hears what the children say, but sees no reason for silencing them; rather he proves that they were only fulfilling an old prophecy, originally, indeed, applied to Jehovah, but one which he claims as addressed to himself. Have ye never read? (<a href="/matthew/12-5.htm">Matthew 12:5</a>). The quotation is from the confessedly Messianic psalm (<a href="/psalms/8.htm">Psalm 8</a>.), a psalm very often quoted in the New Testament, and as speaking of Christ (see <a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/15-27.htm">1 Corinthians 15:27</a>; <a href="/ephesians/1-22.htm">Ephesians 1:22</a>; <a href="/hebrews/2-6.htm">Hebrews 2:6</a>, etc.). Sucklings. This term was applied to children up to the age of three years (see 2 Macc. 7:27), but might be used metaphorically of those of tender age, though long weaned. Thou hast perfected praise. The words are from the Septuagint, which seems to have preserved the original reading. The present Hebrew text gives, "Thou hast ordained strength," or "established a power." In the Lord's mouth the citation signifies that God is praised acceptably by the weak and ignorant when, following the impulse of their simple nature, they do him homage. Some expositors combine the force of the Hebrew and Greek by explaining that "the strength of the weak is praise, and that worship of Christ is strength" (Wordsworth). It is more simple to say, with Nosgen, that for the Hebrew "strength," "praise" is substituted, in order to give the idea that the children's acclamation was that which would still the enemy, as it certainly put to shame the captious objections of the Pharisees. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/21-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>“Do you hear Ἀκούεις (Akoueis) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear. what τί (ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. these [children] οὗτοι (houtoi) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. are saying?” λέγουσιν (legousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. they asked. εἶπαν (eipan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. “Yes,” Ναί (Nai) Particle <a href="/greek/strongs_3483.htm">Strong's 3483: </a> Yes, certainly, even so. A primary particle of strong affirmation; yes. Jesus Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. answered, λέγει (legei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. “have you never read: ἀνέγνωτε (anegnōte) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_314.htm">Strong's 314: </a> To read, know again, know certainly, recognize, discern. From ana and ginosko; to know again, i.e. to read. ‘From Ἐκ (Ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. [the] mouths στόματος (stomatos) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4750.htm">Strong's 4750: </a> The mouth, speech, eloquence in speech, the point of a sword. of children νηπίων (nēpiōn) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3516.htm">Strong's 3516: </a> From an obsolete particle ne- and epos; not speaking, i.e. An infant; figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature Christian. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. infants θηλαζόντων (thēlazontōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2337.htm">Strong's 2337: </a> (a) I give suck, (b) I suck. From thele; to suckle, to suck. You have ordained Κατηρτίσω (Katērtisō) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2675.htm">Strong's 2675: </a> From kata and a derivative of artios; to complete thoroughly, i.e. Repair or adjust. praise’?” αἶνον (ainon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_136.htm">Strong's 136: </a> Praise. Apparently a prime word; properly, a story, but used in the sense of epainos; praise. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/21-16.htm">Matthew 21:16 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/21-16.htm">Matthew 21:16 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/21-16.htm">Matthew 21:16 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/21-16.htm">Matthew 21:16 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/21-16.htm">Matthew 21:16 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/21-16.htm">Matthew 21:16 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/21-16.htm">Matthew 21:16 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/21-16.htm">Matthew 21:16 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/21-16.htm">Matthew 21:16 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/21-16.htm">Matthew 21:16 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/21-16.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 21:16 And said to him Do you hear (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/21-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 21:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 21:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/21-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 21:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 21:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>