At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and have revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will.
Matthew 11:25-26 NET
In this passage, Jesus offered a prayer of thanksgiving to God for having hidden some things from the wise and intelligent and having revealed them to little children. What are these things that God has chosen to hide or reveal? And to whom are these things hidden and revealed?
Matthew 13:11 refers to the secrets of the kingdom, which had been revealed to Jesus’ disciples but not to others. Both places refer to what Jesus had been teaching. But these were not secrets whispered in their ears that no one else could hear. At his trial, Jesus told the high priest that he had spoken nothing in secret and that all his teachings were a matter of public record (John 18:20).
Jesus is referring to the understanding of what he was saying. Everyone could hear the words. But their meaning was hidden from some people. Not because they were incapable of understanding. But because God had hidden it from them.
Jesus’ use of the term “little children” was a term of endearment used for his disciples and others who followed him. To them, the secrets of the kingdom were being revealed. God was giving them insight into what Jesus was teaching.
The wise and intelligent were those who had rejected Jesus because he did not live up to their expectations. They thought they had it figured out. However, because they rejected Jesus, true wisdom was hidden from them.
We will never think our way into the kingdom of God or even understand the truths of the gospel message and the kingdom on our own. Only when we surrender to the Lordship of Jesus and become “little children” will God give us real understanding concerning the things that Jesus and his apostles taught—the secrets of the kingdom.
