Jesus was accepting the praise of children

JESUS WAS ACCEPTING THE PRAISE OF CHILDREN
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
MATTHEW 21:15-16 15 But when the chief priests
and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things
he did and the children shoutingin the temple courts,
“Hosannato the Son of David,” they were indignant.
16 “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they
asked him.
“Yes,” repliedJesus, “have you never read,
“‘From the lips of children and infants
you, Lord, have calledforth your praise’[g]?”
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES

The children crying in the temple.
Matthew 21:15, 16
The blessednessofchildren's piety
C. H. Spurgeon.
It is upon the child that this sarcastic questionstill falls. Some hardly think
the children canbe converted. The Saviour's answeris splendid when He said,
"Have you never read?" Nevercaughtthe inner sense, neverread so as to
understand, etc.
I. Children ARE CAPABLE OF VERY DEEP PIETY,
1. They are capable of that early grace with which true religion usually begins
— a deep repentance.
2. No one who has seenconverted children will everdoubt their capacityfor
faith, in some respects greaterthan that of the adult. Their faith is more easy,
vivid, effective.
3. When they come to love our Lord, they do love.
4. I have noticedin children other virtues — courage, patience, great
understanding of the fear of God.
II. CHILDREN ARE CAPABLE OF RENDERING, IN THE HANDS OF
GOD, GOOD SERVICE.

1. They conveyhealing messagesto those about them. The little maid who
waited upon Naaman's wife. Often guide blind souls to the light. Often guide
strong men to some greataction.
2. They serve the Lord wonderfully by their prayers.
III. THE CHILDREN'S PIETY AND THE CHILDREN'S SERVICE ARE
PECULIARLY GLORIFYING TO GOD.
1. Nothing seems to me to glorify Godso much as His condescensionwhenHe
takes a little child and instructs it, and manifests Himself to the child. And
what power is there in the conversionof a child. If you have any doubt try it
yourself.
2. They glorify God because they do so rebuke His enemies. Who cansee what
some of us have seenin children, and not feel ashamedwe have lived so long,
and yet never yielded to the Redeemer's love?
3. They sometimes rebuke God's ownpeople and so glorify Him. Those who
have never made confessionoffaith, etc. Sunday-schoolteachers, you are
engagedin a most blessedwork — persevere.
(C. H. Spurgeon.)
Children and missions

J. Burns, LL. D.
It is not well to overlook the influence of children, or to neglectthem in
making our efforts for the universal diffusion of the gospel. Letus:
I. ASCERTAIN WHAT IS REQUISITE IN CHILDREN IF THEY WOULD
PROMOTETHE CAUSE OF JESUS. Thatthey should have
(1)a correctknowledge ofthe state of the heathen;
(2)just views of the gospelas adaptedto save them;
(3)right conceptions ofthe value of immortal souls;
(4)experimental knowledge ofthe love of Christ.
II. WHAT CHILDREN MAY DO FOR CARRYING ON THE BLESSED
CAUSE OF JESUS IN THE WORLD. They can —
(1)contribute of their means;
(2)collectfrom others;
(3)pray for God's blessing to attend their efforts and give success;
(4)some children might seek gifts and talents for missionary work.

III. WHAT SHOULD INDUCE CHILDREN THUS TO FEEL AND WORD
IN THE CAUSE OF CHRIST?
1. Gratitude to God for His goodnessto them.
2. God's command.
3. Their own happiness.
(J. Burns, LL. D.)
Christ's praise shouted by children in the temple
W. Harrison, M. A.
I. THE DOCTRINEOF THE TEXT. Christ here refers to a compositionof
David in which he exalts the excellence ofGod's power. In this verse He
illustrates His power by giving an instance of it, that God makes the weakest
of His creatures instruments who were able to subdue the greatestpowers of
the world.
1. The sovereigntyof God.
2. The sufficiency of God's strength.
3. The perfection of praise.

II. THE CIRCUMSTANCESCONNECTED WITHTHE TEXT. Our Lord
was making His last entry into Jerusalem.
1. A tokenof love.
2. A sign of hatred.
(1)God is never more glorified than in the religion of the young.
(2)All who acknowledgeChristare bound to promote this well-pleasing
tribute to the glory of God.
(W. Harrison, M. A.)
The children's Divine Friend
J. Gray.
I. THE MEMORABLE EVENTS IN THE TEXT.
1. The Saviour's wonders. The wonders wrought by Christ were diversified in
character, comprehensive in extent, and adapted to the circumstances ofthe
times. The scene ofthe miracles is the temple of God. On the one part, He cast
out (vers. 12, 13); and on the other, He healed (ver. 14). What could have been
better timed than following up the miracle of majesty with that of mercy?
2. The children's praises.

(1)The objectof the praise, "The Son of David."
(2)The characterofthe praise.
(3)The parties engagedin rendering the praise.
II. THE OFFENCEOCCASIONED.
1. The persons who were the subjects of this uneasiness.
2. The height to which their angerrose.
3. The way in which their displeasure was manifested.
III. THE CONCISE BUT SATISFACTORYVINDICATION.
IV. The ample INSTRUCTION derivable from the scenes andwonders that
distinguish this eventful season.
1. They show the Saviourin the true dignity and glory of His character.

2. They show the glorious triumphs of the reign of grace, in the perfecting of
the praise of babes.
3. Encouragementto parents to bring their children to Jesus and to His
temple.
(J. Gray.)
God glorified in little children
W. H. Lewis, D. D.
God is glorious in the smallestas in the greatestofHis works;the leastflower
awakensadmiration in an equal degree with suns.
I. IT IS TO THE GLORY OF GOD THAT THERE IS SUCH A STATE AS
THAT OF INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD. The infant mind is spread out to
receive the impress of Christ. He has perfectedpraise in forming a period of
human existence so capable ofright impression.
II. GOD GLORIFIES HIMSELF IN LITTLE CHILDREN BY OFTEN
MAKING THEM POWERFULINSTRUMENTSOF GOOD TO OTHERS.
These will not defraud Him of praise.
III. GOD AGAIN PERFECTS HIS PRAISE IN CHILDREN IN MAKING
THEM CAPABLE OF RECEIVING AND REFLECTINGTHE IMAGE OF
CHRIST.
IV. IT IS TO THE PRAISE AND GLORY OF GOD THAT INFANTS AND
CHILDREN ARE SO MUCH THE OBJECTSOF HIS CARE.

V. But especiallydoes Godglorify Himself IN THE REMOVAL OF SO
MANY LITTLE CHILDREN AT AN EARLY AGE.
VI. But it is especiallyin the assurancesthat the souls of departed children are
HAPPY IN HEAVEN, that God's name is to be glorified.
(W. H. Lewis, D. D.)
Children glorify God by being useful to others
W. H. Lewis, D. D.
Often, too, have little ones been the messengers ofstrength and consolationto
believers. In one of the darkestperiods of the Reformation, when Luther,
Melancthon, and others were assembledunder greatdejection of spirit, to
consult upon what should be done, Melancthonretired from the council in the
deepestdepressionof spirit, but in a few moments returned againwith a
countenance beaming with confidence and joy; and when all were surprised at
the change, he told them that he had just seena sight which assured-him of
success— he had seensome little children engagedin prayer for the
Reformation, whom their mothers, who were assembledfor the same purpose,
had brought together, and he was assuredsuchprayers would be heard of
God. Courage in the needful hour, for the greatestwork everaccomplishedby
uninspired men, was thus breathed into the soul through infants' prayers.
(W. H. Lewis, D. D.)
Children in the temple praising the Redeemer
J. Lathrop, D. D.

1. We see here that realpiety is not confined to men of years or learning.
2. That religion in its main substance is adapted to the capacityof the young.
3. From the example before us we learn that greatbenefit may accrue to
youth, from a statedattendance on Divine institutions. Public worship is as
much an ordinance of God under the gospel, as was the Passoverunder the
Law. The example of Jews bringing their children to the temple reproves the
neglectof many Christians.
4. The young are under specialobligations to acknowledgeand praise the
Redeemer. True religion will operate in pious affections and exercises ofheart
toward Christ.
5. That youthful piety is peculiarly pleasing to Christ.
(J. Lathrop, D. D.)
Witnessing children
J. M. L.
I. The children SEE, whilst others are blind. They see whatscribe and priest,
with all their learning, see not — the Son of David. Pride does not hinder their
sight. There is fitness betweenthe mind of youth and the truth as it is in Jesus.
II. The children SING, although others are silent.
III. The children receive the blessing which others lose.

(J. M. L.)
Christ's encouragementand vindication of young disciples
John Guyse.
I. THE CHILDREN'S ACCLAMATION. "Hosannahto the Son of David."
This consideredas the language
(1)of faith and trust in Christ;
(2)of desire and goodwill;
(3)of praise;
(4)of triumphant joy. Remarks —
1. Beholdthe powerof God's grace on young people!
2. How lovely and delightful is it to see sucheffects of it upon them!
3. How should this awakena concernfor the youth of our day!
II. THE OFFENCETAKEN at these acclamations.

1. The persons who took the offence.
2. The matter of their offence.
3. The reasons of it.Remarks —
1. Beholdthe necessityofa supernatural work upon the heart to bring it over
to Christ!
2. How vile a part do they act, who go about to discountenance anddestroy
the gooddispositions of young people toward Christ and religion.
3. Let not any young people be discouragedby what others may do or say, to
turn them aside from Christ and His ways.
III. OUR LORD'S VINDICATION OF THOSE YOUNG ONES in what they
were doing.
1. He took notice of them.
2. The high accountHe made of what they did.
3. The reproof He gave to the chief priests and scribes for objecting against
it.Inferences —

1. That it should be our great concernto own and honour Christ.
2. That the earlier we begin to own and honour Him, the more God's praise is
thereby advanced.
3. That He will own and honour the young ones, who are brought to own and
honour Him.
(John Guyse.)
Children's piety
John Guyse.
How much better is it to see boys and girls showing a serious concernabout
Christ, about an interest in His favour and love, and in the benefits of His
redemption, and about His honour and glory; and to see our sons and
daughters preferring Him to all things else, and devoting themselves to His
service;than to see them lavish awaythe sprightly parts of life in lightness
and vanity, in rudeness and wickedness, and in thoughtless neglect, not to say
contempt, of God and our Saviour, of religion, and everything that relates to
their own real and eternal welfare!
(John Guyse.)
Praise and help from children
C. H. Spurgeon.

In describing his early persecutions in Moorfields, Whitefield says:"Several
little boys and girls, who were fond of sitting round me on the pulpit while I
preached, and handed to me people's notes — though they were often pelted
with eggs, dirt, etc., thrown at me — never once gave way, but, on the
contrary, every time I was struck, turned up their weeping eyes, and seemed
to wish they could receive the blows for me. God made them, in their tender
years, greatand living martyrs for Him."
(C. H. Spurgeon.)
Little things do the perfecting
W. J. BoIton.
How frequently are small things those which perfectanything! Forinstance: it
is the bloom of the plum which perfects it, the scentin the flower, the cut of
the nostril, or the dimples in a countenance, the short strings in a harp, the
delicate finishing touches in a picture. What perfects a fireside but the
children ]inks? what perfects a cathedralchoir but the children's notes? and
what perfects God's praise but the "mouth of babes and sucklings"?
(W. J. BoIton.)
Children capable of deep repentance
C. H. Spurgeon.
I cannot help remembering when the Lord dealt with me as a child. If there
was a child who knew the powerof sin I did. Tenderly cared for, and kept
from all sorts of evil company, yet there seemedin me as if the great deeps
within my nature were brokenup in vast masses ofsin and rebellion against
God. I have met with hundreds of persons every day in riper years who I am
sure never felt the hundredth part of what I felt when I was as a child, under
God's Spirit, feeling a hatred of myself because I had not lived to God and
loved and served Him. I am sure I speak here what I do know, and testify

what I have seenin scores ofchildren, that their repentance has been true,
thorough, deep, intelligent, and lasting, and they have knowntheir way to the
foot of the cross, andseenthe greatsacrifice, andhave wept all the more to
think they should have offended againstlove so infinite which redeemedthem
and made them free.
(C. H. Spurgeon.)
Children capable of a high degree of faith
C. H. Spurgeon.
For there seems to me to be something so chaste and beautiful, like the early
dew glistening in the rising sun-light, about this blessedfaith of the children.
They may teachsome of us how to believe in God. There is a story of a child
who went to a prayer meeting summoned that they might pray for rain, and
she took her umbrella with her. We pray, but we do not take our umbrellas.
That is the very essence offaith — to expect a blessing and to be prepared for
it. Children often in that way show to us that faith is not to be a show-thing, a
pious thing to talk about, but a thing to actupon in ordinary concerns of
everyday life.
(C. H. Spurgeon.)
Courage in children
C. H. Spurgeon.
We don't always look for that in children, yet have they shown it. The martyr
Laurence, who was burnt at Colchester, was so tortured in gaolthat he had to
be carried to the stake in a chair, and all the grown-up people, afraid that they
might he burnt too, forsook him. But a child came up and said, "Lord,
strengthen Thy servant." When one was burnt in Smithfield a boy was seen
going home after the burning. Some one said, "Boy, why were you there?" He
said, "Sir, I went to learn the way.' It may be said, "Oh, that was in the old

days." But they are children like ours. A friend once said to the widow of a
martyr, "Will you not urge your boy to forsake his faith? .... I have had many
children," she said, "but I never had one so well bestowedas this dear boy,
though he is to be burnt to death." He cheeredhis elder companion, and stood
back to back with him in the flames. They have taken their fair share of
suffering in martyr days.
(C. H. Spurgeon.)
Children understated the fear of God
C. H. Spurgeon.
It has been my pleasure lately to admit to the church a large number of little
children, and I can say of eachof them as I have talkedwith them — and I put
many rather difficult questions to them about the things of God — and
wheneverthe question has been vital, there has never been any hesitancy as to
the answer. I had years ago a goodbrother who felt it necessaryto put
questions to young children which I did not like. He askedone child, "Have
you given your heart to the Lord?" The little boy said, "Yes, sir." "Oh," my
friend said, "you see his ignorance." I said, "Has the Lord given you a new
heart?" "Yes, sir, the Lord Jesus gave me a new heart when I believed in
Him, and I know it was a good one." My friend was shut up, and he did not
ask any more questions of children for a greattime. Perhaps what they know
is truer wisdom sometimes than what the elders know. I read some time ago
that the Jews permit children to read the Scriptures when they are five years
old, but not the Talmud till they are fifteen. God help me to keepon reading
the Scriptures and never get to the Talmud at all. Some will getso old that it is
all Talmud with them — very little Bible. With the children there is no
Talmud; they just keepto the smoothroad. What they know is worth the
knowing, whereas much that we know is worse than nothing, and it would be
a greatblessing if we forgetit. Children can be quick in understanding in the
fear of the Lord.
(C. H. Spurgeon.)

Children are capable of greatservice
C. H. Spurgeon.
I heard of a little child whose fatherwas wont to curse and swear, andwhen
the father was indulging in some horrible language she went behind the door.
The father said, "Whatare you doing there? Come out." Her eyes were red
with weeping. "Whatare you crying for?" "Because, dearfather, I could not
bear to hear you talk like that." "Well, you shall never hear me talk like that
again."
(C. H. Spurgeon.)
A child's simple trust
A little girl, who had long nursed a sick sister, was getting worn out. One
morning, as she trudged along to procure medicine, she thought how hard it
was to be always waiting on the invalid when the other children were at play,
and when she thought also how likely it was her sisterwould die, between
weariness andgrief she beganto weep bitterly. But a sudden thought crossed
her mind. The verse came to her memory, "I know, O Lord, that Thy
judgments are right, and that Thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me." Dayand
night henceforwardshe never weariedin her attendance on the invalid. Her
cheerful countenance did more goodthan the medicines;and ere long she had
her reward, for her sisterrecovered.
A boy's prayer
An American writer says, "A boy, thirteen years of age, who attended one of
our mission Sunday schools, was hopefully converted. His father was a
dissipated, wickedman, who kept a drinking saloon, and thus not only got
drunk himself, but causedothers to do so. This dear boy askedhis Sunday-
schoolteacherwhathe should do, for his father would make him wait on the
customers, handing out the poison to them; and if he had not better leave
home. His teachertold him not to leave home, but begin at once to pray for his

father, and she would pray for him, and for his father too; and they both
commencedto pray for that father. In a few weekshe left off drinking, and
soonafter left off selling, too, and went to to work earn an honest living; 'for,'
said he, with tears running down his face, 'something has bean the matter
with my dearboy for sometime;and the other day I heard a noise in the room
where he sleeps;it was a kind of a mournful noise, and I listened; and don't
you think he was praying for me! He prayed that I would quit selling — for I
had quit drinking some time before; and I felt I was doing wrong, and I have
quit it all; and the next time you have a meeting I am coming with my boy.'"
The weak made to perfect the praise of God
W. Gurnal.
We do not wonderto see a man of strong constitution, who eats his bread
heartily, and sleeps soundly, live; but for a crazy body, full of ailments and
infirmities, to be so patched and shored up by the physician's art, that he
stands to old age, this begets some wonder in the beholders. It may be thou art
a poor trembling soul, thy faith is weak, andthy assaults from Satanstrong,
thy corruptions stirring and active, and thy mortifying strength little, so that
in thy opinion they rather gain ground on thy grace than give ground to it;
ever and anon thou art ready to think thou shalt be castas a wreck upon the
devil's shore:and yet to this day thy grace lives, though full of leaks;now is it
not worth the stepping aside to see this strange sight? A brokenship with
masts and hull rent and torn, thus towedalong by Almighty power, through
an angry sea, and armadas of sins and devils, safely into His harbour. To see a
poor dilling or rush candle in the face of the boisterous winds and not blown
out: in a word, to see a weak stripling in grace held up in God's arms till he
beats the devil craven: this God is doing in upholding thee; thou art one of
these babes, out of whose mouth God is perfecting His praise, by ordaining
such strength for thee, that thou, a babe in grace, shaltyet foil a giant in
wrath and power.
(W. Gurnal.)

COMMENTARIES
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(15) The chief priests.—These,as commonly in the Gospels, were the heads of
the twenty-four courses ofthe priesthood, as well as Annas and Caiaphas, who
were designatedby the title in its higher sense, the one as actually high priest,
the other as president of the Sanhedrin. (See Note on Luke 3:2.)
The children.—Literally, the boys, the noun being masculine. Taking the
Jewishclassificationofages, they would probably be from sevento fourteen
years old, but in such a narrative as this the generalphrase does not exclude
younger children.
BensonCommentary
Matthew 21:15-17. Whenthe chief priests, &c., saw the wonderful things he
did — The undeniable and astonishing miracles which he performed, and the
children crying in the temple, and continuing the song which the multitude
had begun, Hosanna to the son of David, they were sore displeased —
Inwardly vexed and filled with indignation. The works that Christ did
recommended themselves to every man’s conscience:if they had any sense,
they could not but own the miracle of them; and if any good-nature, they
could not but be in love with the mercy of them; yet, because theywere
resolvedto oppose him, even for these works they envied and hated him. And
said, Hearestthou what these (the children) say? — Insinuating that it was his
duty to stop their mouths, by refusing the praises which they offeredwithout
understanding what they said. Jesus saith, Yea; have ye never read — Are you
unacquainted with the Scriptures? You, that want the people to regard you as
the greatteachers ofGod’s law? Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou
hast perfectedpraise — These words are quoted out of the eighth Psalm, and
imply that, “though all men should be silent, God has no need of other heralds

to proclaim his praise than infants, who hang at their mothers’ breasts;
because, notwithstanding they be dumb, the admirable providence of God,
conspicuous in their preservation, is equal to the loudestand sublimest
eloquence. And, by applying these words to the case in hand, Jesus signified
that the meanestof God’s works are so formed as to declare the greatness of
his perfections;that as the Father does not refuse the praise which arises from
the leastof his creatures, so the Son did not disdain the praise which was
offered him by children. In the presentinstance their praise was peculiarly
acceptable, because itimplied that his miracles were exceedingly illustrious,
inasmuch as they led minds wherein there was nothing but the dawnings of
reason, to acknowledgehis mission. The Messiah’s praise, therefore, might,
with remarkable propriety, be said, on this occasion, to have been perfected
out of the mouths of babes and sucklings.” — Macknight. But see the note on
Psalm8:2; where the psalmist’s words, here referred to, are explained at
large. And he left them — Namely, when the evening was come, both in
prudence, lest they should have seized him before his hour was come, and in
justice, because they had forfeited the favour of his presence:he left them as
incorrigible. And went out of the city — Privately, with none to attend him
but the twelve; to Bethany — Where the resurrectionof Lazarus had
procured him friends, among whom he was always in safety.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
21:12-17 Christ found some of the courts of the temple turned into a market
for cattle and things used in the sacrifices, and partly occupiedby the money-
changers. Our Lord drove them from the place, as he had done at his entering
upon his ministry, Joh 2:13-17. His works testified of him more than the
hosannas;and his healing in the temple was the fulfilling the promise, that the
glory of the latter house should be greater than the glory of the former. If
Christ came now into many parts of his visible church, how many secretevils
he would discoverand cleanse!And how many things daily practised under
the cloak ofreligion, would he show to be more suitable to a den of thieves
than to a house of prayer!

Barnes'Notes on the Bible
When the chief priests ... - The chief men of the nation were envious of his
popularity.
They could not prevent it; but, being determined to find fault, they took
occasionto do so from the shouts of the children. People oftenare offended
that "children" have anything to do with religion, and deem it very improper
that "they" should rejoice that the Saviour has come. Our Lord Jesus viewed
this subjectdifferently. He saw that it was proper that they should rejoice.
they are interested in the concerns ofreligion, and before evil principles get
fast hold of their minds is a proper time for them to love and obey him. The
Lord Jesus silencedthose who made the objectionby appealing to a text of
their own Scriptures. This text is found in Psalm8:2. The quotation is not
made directly from the Hebrew. but from the Greek translation. This,
however, should create no difficulty. The point of the quotation was to prove
that "children" might offer praise to God. This is expressedin both the
Hebrew and the Greek.
Jamieson-Fausset-BrownBible Commentary
Mt 21:10-22. Stirabout Him in the City—SecondCleansing of the Temple,
and Miracles There—Glorious Vindication of the Children's Testimony—The
Barren Fig Tree Cursed, with Lessons from It. ( = Mr 11:11-26;Lu 19:45-48).
For the exposition, see on[1334]Lu 19:45-48;and [1335]Mr11:12-26.
Matthew Poole's Commentary
See Poole on"Matthew 21:16".
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And when the chief priests and Scribes,.... The inveterate enemies of Christ;
who upon hearing the shouts of the people at Christ's entrance into the city,
and passagethrough it to the temple; and understanding that it was Jesus of
Nazareththat was come thither, they came also to awe the people, and pick up
what they could againsthim: who, when they
saw the wonderful things that he did; as the overturning the tables of the
money changers, andthe seats ofthose that sold doves, without any
opposition, when these traders were so many, and in greatpower, and he a
single person, and unarmed; and that the blind receivedtheir sight, and the
lame were cured,
and the children crying in the temple; who came from the various parts of the
city, with their parents, to see the sight; who, when the multitude had done,
they beganthe same ditty:
and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; proclaiming Jesus to be the Messiah,
and ascribing praise and glory to him, and wishing him all happiness and
prosperity: the form they had takenup from the people, and might be
encouragedby their parents; and which they pronounced without fearof the
high priests, and Scribes, being disposed, directed, and overruled hereunto by
the providence of God. It was indeed no unusual thing for children to sing the
"Hosanna" atthe feastof tabernacles;for, according to the Jewishcanons (k),
"a child that knew how to shake, was obligedto carry the "Lulab",''
or bundle of myrtle, and willow boughs, and palm tree branches, at the
shaking of which "Hosanna" was said:but that they should cry "Hosanna" to
Jesus, as David's son was very extraordinary, and what the high priests, and
Scribes, took notice of with greatresentment:

they were sore displeased;at the children, that so said, at their parents that
suffered them, and especiallyatChrist, who did not forbid them. The Persic
version renders it, "it displeasedthe priests";the Arabic reads, "they
murmured"; and the Ethiopic has it, "it was not pleasantto them".
(k) T. Bab. Succa, fol. 42. 1. Erachin, fol. 2. 2. Maimon. Hilch. Lulab, c. 7. sect.
19.
Geneva Study Bible
{2} And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he
did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of
David; they were sore displeased,
(2) Those that should be masters of godliness are the ones that envy most the
glory of Christ: but in vain.
EXEGETICAL(ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)
Expositor's Greek Testament
Matthew 21:15. τὰ θαυμάσια:here only in N.T., the wonderful things, a
comprehensive phrase apparently chosento include all the notable things
done by Jesus (Meyer), among which may be reckonednot only the cures, and
the cleansing ofthe temple, but the enthusiasm which He had awakenedin the
crowd, to the priests and scribes perhaps the most offensive feature of the
situation.—τοὺς παῖδας, etc.:the boys and girls of the city, true to the spirit of
youth, caught up and echoedthe cry of the pilgrim crowd and shouted in the
temple precincts:“Hosanna, etc.”. ἠγανάκτησαν, they were piqued, like the
ten (Matthew 20:24).

Cambridge Bible for Schools andColleges
15, 16. The Children’s Praise. Peculiarto St Matthew
15. the chief priests]The heads of the twenty-four priestly courses, as wellas
the high-priest and those who had served that office. See note ch. Matthew
26:3.
children crying in the temple] Children were taught at an early age to join in
the temple services. Thesecaughtthe familiar feast-day strain from the
Galilæanpilgrims, and unconscious ofall that their words meant, saluted
Jesus.
Bengel's Gnomen
Matthew 21:15. Τὰ θαυμάσια, the wonderful things) see Matthew 21:12;
Matthew 21:14.
Pulpit Commentary
Verse 15. - The chief priests. This term is generally applied to the high priest's
deputies and the heads of the twenty-four courses,but it seems here to mean
certain sacerdotalmembers of the Sanhedrin, to whom supreme authority was
delegatedby the Romans or Herodians (see Josephus, 'Ant.,' 20:10, 5). They
formed a wealthy, aristocraticalbody, and were many of them Sadducees.
They joined with the scribes in expressing their outragedfeeling, whether
simulated or real. The wonderful things (τὰ θαυμάσια);an expressionfound
nowhere else in the New Testament. It refers to the cleansing of the temple
and the cures lately performed there. Children crying in the temple. This fact
is mentioned only by St. Matthew. Jesus lovedchildren, and they loved and
followedhim, taking up the cry which they had heard the day before from the
multitude, and in simple faith applying it againto Christ. While grown men

are silent or blaspheming, little children boldly sing his praises. Were sore
displeased. Their envious hearts could not bear to see Jesus honoured,
elevatedin men's eyes by his own beneficent actions, and now glorified by the
spontaneous acclamations ofthese little ones. Matthew 21:15
(16) Hearestthou 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 Teacherand askedwhetherHe accepted them
in the sense in which they were addressedto Him. Had He really enteredthe
Temple claiming to be the expectedChrist? 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 askedin reasoning with the scribes who opposedHim
(Matthew 12:3; Matthew 12:5; Matthew 19:4; Matthew 21:42;Matthew
22:31). It expressedvery forcibly the estimate which He formed of their
characteras 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
passedaround them. In this instance He cites the words of Psalm8:2, the
primary meaning of which appears to be that the child’s wonder at the
marvels of Creationis 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 thanthe half-hearted,
self-seeking homage ofolder worshippers. The words are quoted from the
LXX. translation.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
21:12-17 Christ found some of the courts of the temple turned into a market
for cattle and things used in the sacrifices, and partly occupiedby the money-
changers. Our Lord drove them from the place, as he had done at his entering
upon his ministry, Joh 2:13-17. His works testified of him more than the
hosannas;and his healing in the temple was the fulfilling the promise, that the
glory of the latter house should be greaterthan the glory of the former. If
Christ came now into many parts of his visible church, how many secretevils
he would discoverand cleanse!And how many things daily practised under
the cloak ofreligion, would he show to be more suitable to a den of thieves
than to a house of prayer!
Barnes'Notes on the Bible
When the chief priests ... - The chief men of the nation were envious of his
popularity.
They could not prevent it; but, being determined to find fault, they took
occasionto do so from the shouts of the children. People oftenare offended
that "children" have anything to do with religion, and deem it very improper
that "they" should rejoice that the Saviour has come. Our Lord Jesus viewed
this subjectdifferently. He saw that it was proper that they should rejoice.
they are interested in the concerns ofreligion, and before evil principles get
fast hold of their minds is a proper time for them to love and obey him. The
Lord Jesus silencedthose who made the objectionby appealing to a text of
their own Scriptures. This text is found in Psalm8:2. The quotation is not
made directly from the Hebrew. but from the Greek translation. This,
however, should create no difficulty. The point of the quotation was to prove
that "children" might offer praise to God. This is expressedin both the
Hebrew and the Greek.
Jamieson-Fausset-BrownBible Commentary

Mt 21:10-22. Stirabout Him in the City—SecondCleansing of the Temple,
and Miracles There—Glorious Vindication of the Children's Testimony—The
Barren Fig Tree Cursed, with Lessons from It. ( = Mr 11:11-26;Lu 19:45-48).
For the exposition, see on[1334]Lu 19:45-48;and [1335]Mr11:12-26.
Matthew Poole's Commentary
Ver. 15,16. The other evangelists saynothing of this part of this history. The
wonderful things here mentioned, are his healing the blind and lame, of which
we read Matthew 21:14. The cry of the children doubtless more displeased
them; it was of the same nature with that of the multitude in the way, and in
the streets, whenour Lord came into Jerusalem;they owned Christ as the
Messiah, andgave him praise, and wished all manner of felicity to him. The
Pharisees showing a displeasure at the acclamation, Christ refers them to
what was written, Psalm 8:2: there it is, thou hastfounded, or ordained,
strength, that is, a solid and firm praise; a prediction that from the testimony
of such weak persons, the glorious powerof Christ should be proclaimed, and
from such mean and despicable beginnings greatand glorious things should
come to pass.
Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
And said unto him, hearestthou what these say?.... Suggesting, thatif he did,
he ought to reprove them, or else he would be a very vain, as wellas a weak
man, to take such things to himself, which did not belong to him, and that
from such poor, little, silly creatures, so void of knowledge and
understanding:
and Jesus saidunto them, yea:signifying he did hear, and well approved of
what they said, and was ready to vindicate it; and did, by putting the
following question to them,

have ye never read; that passageofScripture in Psalm 8:2
out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfectedpraise? in the
original text it is, "thou hast ordained", or "founded strength";and which is
rendered by the Septuagint, as it is by Matthew here; and glory and strength
are mentioned together, as being to be given to God, Psalm 29:1 and so
"strength" and "praise" by the Targumistin Isaiah13:3 by which is meant
strong glory, or glory and praise expressedwith a strong voice, or in a very
vehement manner, as it was by these babes and sucklings;and this owing to
God's disposing them hereunto, putting it into their mouths, and
strengthening them to declare it in a very strong and powerful manner; so
that his strength was made perfect in their weakness, andhis praise the more
glorious. In the Psalmit is added, "because ofthine enemies, that thou might
still the enemy, and the avenger":by whom are meant the high priests, the
Scribes and Pharisees, the mortal enemies of Christ, who were full of enmity
againsthim, and wanted to revenge themselves on him for spoiling their
market at this time; but were stilled by the "Hosannas"ofthe children, and
Christ's defence of them. The Jews themselves seemto be conscious,that these
words relate to the Messiah;for they say (l), that
"babes and sucklings, , shall give strength to the king Messiah''
manifestly referring to this passage.
(l) Zohar in Exod. fol. 4. 2.
Geneva Study Bible

And said unto him, Hearestthou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them,
Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast
{h} perfectedpraise?
(h) You have made most perfect. We read in David, Thou hast establishedor
grounded, and if the matter is consideredwell, the evangelistsays here the
same thing, for that which is most perfect is stable and sure.
EXEGETICAL(ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)
Expositor's Greek Testament
Matthew 21:16. ἀκούεις, etc.:the holy men attack the leastobjectionable
phenomenon because they could do so safely; not the enthusiasm of the crowd,
the Messianichomage, the act of zeal, all deeply offensive to them, but the
innocent shouts of children echoing the cry of seniors. They were forsooth
unseemly in such a place!Hypocrites and cowards!No fault found with the
desecrationofthe sacredprecincts by an unhallowed traffic.—ναί, yes, of
course:cheery, hearty, yea, not without enjoyment of the ridiculous distress of
the sanctimonious guardians of the temple.—οὐδ. ἀνέγνωτε as in Matthew
19:4 : felicitous citation from Psalm8:3, not to be prosaicallyinterpreted as if
children in arms three or four years old, still being suckled according to the
custom of Hebrew mothers, were among the shouting juniors. These prompt
happy citations show how familiar Jesus was with the O. T.
Cambridge Bible for Schools andColleges
16. Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise]
Rather, out of (or by) the mouths of children and sucklings hastthou founded
strength. Psalm8:2. The ruling thought of the opening verses is the glory of
God setforth in His works. The “scarcelyarticulate” cry of an infant proves,
like the heaven and the stars, the powerand providence of God. On all these
God builds a stronghold againstHis adversaries, i. e. convinces them of His

might. So also the children in the temple attestthe truth of God. See Canon
Perowne and Speaker’s Commentaryon the passagequoted.
Bengel's Gnomen
Matthew 21:16. Ἀκούεις, κ.τ.λ., dostThou hear? etc.)Every thing which is not
commonplace and traditional, is too much for hypocrites.[920]—
ΘΗΛΑΖΌΝΤΩΝ, sucklings)who might be as much as three years old.[921]
See 2Ma 7:27.
[920]νηπίων) They who to the world seemstill infants, may notwithstanding
have their mouths opened to utterance by Divine power. We may suppose that
the little children in this instance caughtup the words of those of riper age
(with which view, comp. Matthew 21:9): and yet that circumstance was not
without being valued in the sight of God. Only let one not be wanting to his
fellow in setting a goodexample: the Lord will take care of the rest, nay,
indeed He will take care of all things.—V. g.
[921]The passagein Maccabeesruns thus:—“O my son, have pity upon me
that bare thee nine months in my womb, and gave thee suck three years, and
nourished thee, and brought thee up unto this age.” The same practice still
prevails in the East. In Persia, male children are often kept at the breast till
three years of age, and are never taken from it till two years and two months.
In India the period is preciselythree years. In 2 Chronicles 31:16, no
provision is assignedforthe children of Priests and Levites until after three
years of age, which gives additional weightto the supposition that they were
not weanedtill that time. Amongst the ancient Greeks, also, it appears that
mothers suckledtheir children till a comparatively late period.—(I. B.)
Pulpit Commentary

Verse 16. - Hearestthou what these say? They profess a greatzeal 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 reasonfor silencing them;
rather he proves that they were only fulfilling an old prophecy, originally,
indeed, applied to Jehovah, but one which he claims as addressedto himself.
Have ye never read? (Matthew 12:5). The quotation is from the confessedly
Messianic psalm(Psalm 8.), a psalm very often quoted in the New Testament,
and as speaking of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 1:27; 1 Corinthians 15:27;
Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 2:6, 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
perfectedpraise. The words are from the Septuagint, which seems to have
preservedthe original reading. The present Hebrew text gives, "Thouhast
ordained strength," or "establisheda power." In the Lord's mouth the
citation signifies that God is praised acceptablyby 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, thatfor the Hebrew
"strength," "praise" is substituted, in order to give the idea that the
children's acclamationwas thatwhich would still the enemy, as it certainly
put to shame the captious objections of the Pharisees. Matthew 21:16
Vincent's Word Studies
Say (λέγουσιν)
The Rev. is more graphic, are saying. While the songs and shouts are rising,
the priests turn angrily to Christ with the question, "Hearestthou what these
are saying?"
Thou hast perfected(θκατηρτίσω)

The same word as at Matthew 4:21, where it is used of adjusting or mending
nets. Its secondarymeaning is to furnish completely, equip; hence to perfect.
Thou hast provided the perfection of praise. The quotation from Psalm 8:2,
follows the Septuagint, and not the Hebrew, which is, "Thouhast founded
strength."
STUDYLIGHT ON VERSE 15
Adam Clarke Commentary
The chief priests - were sore displeased- Or, were incensed. Incensedat what!
At the purification of the profaned temple! This was a work they should have
done themselves, but for which they had neither grace nor influence; and their
pride and jealousywill not suffer them to permit others to do it. Strange as it
may appear, the priesthood itself, in all corrupt times, has been ever the most
forward to prevent a reform in the Church. Was it because they were
conscious thata reformer would find them no better than money-changers in,
and profaners of, the house of God, and that they and their system must be
overturned, if the true worship of God were restored!Let him who is
concernedanswerthis to his conscience.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Bibliography

Clarke, Adam. "Commentary on Matthew 21:15". "The Adam Clarke
Commentary". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/matthew-
21.html. 1832.
Return to Jump List return to 'Jump List'
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible
And when the chief priests and Scribes,.... The inveterate enemies of Christ;
who upon hearing the shouts of the people at Christ's entrance into the city,
and passagethrough it to the temple; and understanding that it was Jesus of
Nazareththat was come thither, they came also to awe the people, and pick up
what they could againsthim: who, when they
saw the wonderful things that he did; as the overturning the tables of the
money changers, andthe seats ofthose that sold doves, without any
opposition, when these traders were so many, and in greatpower, and he a
single person, and unarmed; and that the blind receivedtheir sight, and the
lame were cured,
and the children crying in the temple; who came from the various parts of the
city, with their parents, to see the sight; who, when the multitude had done,
they beganthe same ditty:
and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; proclaiming Jesus to be the Messiah,
and ascribing praise and glory to him, and wishing him all happiness and
prosperity: the form they had takenup from the people, and might be
encouragedby their parents; and which they pronounced without fearof the
high priests, and Scribes, being disposed, directed, and overruled hereunto by
the providence of God. It was indeed no unusual thing for children to sing the

"Hosanna" atthe feastof tabernacles;for, according to the Jewish
canonsF11,
"a child that knew how to shake, was obligedto carry the "Lulab",'
or bundle of myrtle, and willow boughs, and palm tree branches, at the
shaking of which "Hosanna" was said:but that they should cry "Hosanna" to
Jesus, as David's son was very extraordinary, and what the high priests, and
Scribes, took notice of with greatresentment:
they were sore displeased;at the children, that so said, at their parents that
suffered them, and especiallyatChrist, who did not forbid them. The Persic
version renders it, "it displeasedthe priests";the Arabic reads, "they
murmured"; and the Ethiopic has it, "it was not pleasantto them".
Copyright Statement
The New John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible Modernisedand adapted
for the computer by Larry Pierce of Online Bible. All Rightes Reserved,
Larry Pierce, Winterbourne, Ontario.
A printed copy of this work can be ordered from: The Baptist Standard
Bearer, 1 Iron Oaks Dr, Paris, AR, 72855
Bibliography
Gill, John. "Commentary on Matthew 21:15". "The New JohnGill Exposition
of the Entire Bible".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/geb/matthew-21.html. 1999.

Geneva Study Bible
2 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did,
and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of
(2) Those that should be masters of godliness are the ones that envy most the
glory of Christ: but in vain.
Copyright Statement
Text Courtesyof BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliography
Beza, Theodore. "Commentaryon Matthew 21:15". "The 1599 Geneva Study
Bible". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/gsb/matthew-21.html.
1599-1645.
John Lightfoot's Commentary on the Gospels
15. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he
did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of
David; they were sore displeased.
[The children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna.]Children, from
their first infancy, were taught to manage the bundles, to shake them, and in
shaking, to sing Hosanna. A child, so soonas he knows how to wave the
bundle, is bound to carry a bundle Where the Gemara saith thus; "The
Rabbins teach, that so soonas a little child can be taught to manage a bundle,

he is bound to carry one: so soonas he knows how to veil himself, he must put
on the borders: as soonas he knows how to keephis father's phylacteries, he
must put on his own: as soonas he canspeak, let his father teachhim the law,
and to say the phylacteries," &c.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Lightfoot, John. "Commentary on Matthew 21:15". "JohnLightfoot
Commentary on the Gospels".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jlc/matthew-21.html. 1675.
People's New Testament
The chief priests and scribes... were sore displeased. These inveterate enemies
were displeased, not only at the authority he had assumedover the temple, but
at the acclamations ofapproval, the cries of the children, and the evident
favor of the people.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that
is available on the Christian ClassicsEtherealLibrary Website.
Original work done by Ernie Stefanik. First published online in 1996 atThe
RestorationMovementPages.

Bibliography
Johnson, BartonW. "Commentary on Matthew 21:15". "People's New
Testament". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/pnt/matthew-
21.html. 1891.
Robertson's WordPictures in the New Testament
The children (τους παιδας — tous paidas). Masculine and probably boys who
had caughtthe enthusiasm of the crowd.
Copyright Statement
The Robertson's WordPictures of the New Testament. Copyright �
Broadman Press 1932,33,Renewal1960. All rights reserved. Used by
permission of Broadman Press (Southern BaptistSunday SchoolBoard)
Bibliography
Robertson, A.T. "Commentary on Matthew 21:15". "Robertson's Word
Pictures of the New Testament".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/rwp/matthew-21.html.
Broadman Press 1932,33.Renewal1960.
The Fourfold Gospel

But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he
did, and the children that were crying in the temple and saying, Hosanna to
the sonof David1; they were moved with indignation,
The children that were crying in the temple and saying, Hosanna to the sonof
David. The presence ofour Lord in the Temple should, indeed, have been
heralded with joy, for as that was the day in which the paschallamb was
presentedand set apart, it was fitting that Christ our passovershould be
presentedthere amidst rejoicing.
Copyright Statement
is available on the Christian ClassicsEtherealLibrary Website. These files
were made available by Mr. Ernie Stefanik. First published online in 1996 at
The RestorationMovementPages.
Bibliography
J. W. McGarveyand Philip Y. Pendleton. "Commentaryon Matthew 21:15".
"The Fourfold Gospel".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tfg/matthew-21.html.
Standard Publishing Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. 1914.
Calvin's Commentary on the Bible
15.Whenthe chief priests and scribes saw. Luke relates that the Pharisees
beganto grumble, while he was still on the road. (17) It was the disciples that
were then crying out: the others wished to have them silenced. Christ replied,
that it was in vain for them to make opposition; because Godwould rather
make the stones cry out than permit the reign of His Sonto be forgotten. It is
probable that, as the crying out was not diminished, and as even the children
now joined in it, the scribes and priests were roused to still fiercerindignation,

and then commenceda new attack onChrist. They appearindirectly to
reproachhim by alleging that he is desirous to obtain the praises of children.
But we must observe whence their displeasure arose. Thatit was connected
with ungodly malice and outrageous contemptof God is evident from the fact,
that his miracles gave them not less uneasiness than the shouts of applause.
But I now inquire about some more specialreason. Whatwas it that chiefly
vexed them? Now we know how eagerlythey contended for their authority;
for the objectto which their zeal carried them was, that the tyranny, which
they had once claimed, might continue to be enjoyed by them; and it was no
slight diminution of their power, if the people were at liberty to bestow on
Christ the title of King. Even in trifling matters they wishedtheir decisions to
be regarded as oracles, (18)so that it might not be permitted to approve or
rejectany thing but according to their pleasure. They therefore reckonit to be
foolish and unreasonable, that the people should confer the title of Messiahon
one whom they do not treat with any respect. And certainly, if they had done
their duty, it would have been proper for them to direct the whole people, and
to go before them as their leaders. For the priests had been appointed, that
from their lips all might seek the knowledge ofthe Law, and, in short, that
they might be the messengersand interpreters of the God of armies, (Malachi
2:7.) But as they had basely extinguished the light of truth, Christ
appropriately replies, that they gain nothing by endeavoring to suppress the
doctrine of salvation, for it will rather break out from the stones.
There is likewise animplied admission; for Christ does not deny that it is an
unnatural order for the uneducated multitude and children to be the first to
magnify with their voice the coming of the Messiah, but as the truth is
wickedlysuppressedby those who ought to have been its lawful witnesses,it is
not wonderful if God raise up others, and — to their shame — make choice of
children. Hence we derive no slight consolation;for though wickedmen leave
no stone unturned for concealing the reign of Christ, we learn from this
passagethat their efforts are in vain. They hope that, when some of the

multitude, that is carrying forward the kingdom of Christ, shall have been put
to death, and others shall be silencedby fear, they will gain their object. But
God will disappoint them; for He will soonergive mouths and tongues to
stones than allow the kingdom of His Son to be without witnesses.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Calvin, John. "Commentary on Matthew 21:15". "Calvin's Commentary on
the Bible". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cal/matthew-
21.html. 1840-57.
John Trapp Complete Commentary
15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he
did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of
Ver. 15. And the children crying, &c.] To the greatgrief and regret of those
cankeredearls the priests and scribes;but to the singular commendation of
their parents who had so well taught and tutored them. So the children of
Merindol answeredthe popish bishop of Cavaillonwith such grace and
gravity as was admirable. So, when John Lawrence was burnt at Colchester,
the young children came about him, and cried in the audience of the
persecutors, "Lord, strengthen thy servant, and keepthy promise."

Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Trapp, John. "Commentary on Matthew 21:15". John Trapp Complete
Commentary. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jtc/matthew-
21.html. 1865-1868.
Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomonof the New Testament
Matthew 21:15. τὰ θαυμάσια, the wonderful things) see Matthew 21:12;
Matthew 21:14.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Bengel, JohannAlbrecht. "Commentary on Matthew 21:15". Johann
Albrecht Bengel's Gnomonof the New Testament.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jab/matthew-21.html. 1897.

Matthew Poole's EnglishAnnotations on the Holy Bible
See Poole on"Matthew 21:16".
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Poole, Matthew, "Commentaryon Matthew 21:15". Matthew Poole's English
Annotations on the Holy Bible.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/mpc/matthew-21.html. 1685.
Cambridge Greek Testamentfor Schools andColleges
15. οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς. [1] The high-priest, [2] those who had servedthat office, [3]
the priests who were members of the high-priest’s family, and [4] perhaps, the
heads of the twenty-four priestly courses. Seenote ch. Matthew 26:3.
τοὺς παῖδας τοὺς κράζοντας. Children were taught at an early age to join in
the temple services. Thesecaughtthe familiar feast-day strain from the
Galilæanpilgrims, and unconscious ofall that their words meant, saluted
Jesus.
Copyright Statement

Bibliography
"Commentary on Matthew 21:15". "Cambridge Greek Testamentfor Schools
and Colleges".https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cgt/matthew-
21.html. 1896.
Whedon's Commentary on the Bible
15. Children crying in the temple — How fitting that childlike voices should
shout the praises of Him who allowednot children to be forbidden to come to
him! Children in the temple above will forever chant his praises, nor can there
be a doubt that these children were moved by a divine impulse to utter these
praises, which were so truly emblematic of the place of the child in the
merciful dispensationof Christianity.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Whedon, Daniel. "Commentary on Matthew 21:15". "Whedon's Commentary
on the Bible". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/whe/matthew-
21.html. 1874-1909.

PeterPett's Commentary on the Bible
‘But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he
did, and the children who were crying in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to
the sonof David”, they were stirred with indignation,’
The picture here is vivid. Jesus had been stirred with indignation at the
villainies practised in the Temple, while the chief priests and the Scribes were
stirred with indignation at the wonderful things which He did. In their eyes
He was turning the Temple into a Hospital for the poor, and taking over the
Temple. What villainy! Such goings on could not be allowedin a holy place.
At least, they felt, what they had been doing had had a religious purpose.
What Jesus was doing was not even religious at all. Indeed it was almostanti-
religious. (So twisted can men’s thinking become when they are filled with
prejudice).
But they were also angry because the children, spurred on by the miracles
that were being performed, were crying out that He was the Son of David, and
He was doing nothing about it. It appearedto them little short of blasphemy -
and possibly dangerous. Nationalfervour could soonbe aroused. Why did He
not stopit?
Copyright Statement
Bibliography

Pett, Peter. "Commentary on Matthew 21:15". "PeterPett's Commentaryon
the Bible ". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/pet/matthew-
21.html. 2013.
Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Matthew 21:15. Wonderful things. Including all His doings, especiallythis
driving out of the traders.
And the children that were crying in the temple. The Hosannas of the day of
entry were kept up by the children, probably only by the children.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Schaff, Philip. "Commentary on Matthew 21:15". "Schaff's Popular
Commentary on the New Testament".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/scn/matthew-21.html. 1879-
90.
The Expositor's Greek Testament

Matthew 21:15. τὰ θαυμάσια:here only in N.T., the wonderful things, a
comprehensive phrase apparently chosento include all the notable things
done by Jesus (Meyer), among which may be reckonednot only the cures, and
the cleansing ofthe temple, but the enthusiasm which He had awakenedin the
crowd, to the priests and scribes perhaps the most offensive feature of the
situation.— τοὺς παῖδας, etc.:the boys and girls of the city, true to the spirit of
youth, caught up and echoedthe cry of the pilgrim crowd and shouted in the
temple precincts:“Hosanna, etc.”. ἠγανάκτησαν, they were piqued, like the
ten (Matthew 20:24).
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Nicol, W. Robertson, M.A., L.L.D. "Commentary on Matthew 21:15". The
Expositor's Greek Testament.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/egt/matthew-21.html. 1897-
1910.
George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary
Hosanna. St. Augustine (lib. de doct. christ. chap. xi.) thinks this word is an
interjection of joy, without any particular meaning, denoting only affection, as
Rocha is an expressionof indignation. This opinion seems supported by the
interpreters not having translated either of these words, but retained them in
the Greek and in the Latin versions. It seems more than probable, according
to St. Jerome, that the whole sentence is takenfrom Psalmcxvii. 25 and 26, in
which the supposition, hosanna will signify God save;the word me, though in

the verse of the Psalm just mentioned, is not in the Hebrew. It is a familiar
acclamationamong the Jews, whichthey sung every day on the feastof the
tabernacles, carrying branches in their hands. (The feastof the tabernacles
was figurative of Christ's divinity, resting under the tabernacle of our
humanity.) The manner in which it was chanted, was not unlike our litanies.
First some name or attribute of the Deity was sung, as "Forthy own sake, O
Lord of Lords," to which the people answered, "hosanna,"or"save us," "by
thy covenant," "save us," "thy holy temple," "Hosanna, save us." These
litanies were very long, and are saidat present by the Jews in their
synagogues. Manythings have undoubtedly been added in process oftime, but
they most probably were in use from the beginning. (Jansenius)
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Haydock, George Leo. "Commentaryon Matthew 21:15". "George
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hcc/matthew-21.html. 1859.
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
wonderful things = the wonders. Occurs only here. These were the Lord"s
final miracles, wrought at this crisis, and must have been very specialin
character.
did = wrought.

children. Greek. pais. See App-108.
the Sonof David. The eighth of nine occurancesin Matthew. See note on
Matthew 1:1.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Bullinger, Ethelbert William. "Commentary on Matthew 21:15". "E.W.
Bullinger's Companion bible Notes".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bul/matthew-21.html. 1909-
1922.
The Bible Study New Testament
The chief priests and the teachers ofthe Law. These arch-enemies ofJesus
were angry because of what he had done in the temple, and because the people
were praising him.
Copyright Statement

Bibliography
Ice, Rhoderick D. "Commentary on Matthew 21:15". "The Bible Study New
Testament". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ice/matthew-
21.html. College Press, Joplin, MO. 1974.
(15) The chief priests.—These,as commonly in the Gospels, were the heads of
the twenty-four courses ofthe priesthood, as well as Annas and Caiaphas, who
were designatedby the title in its higher sense, the one as actually high priest,
the other as president of the Sanhedrin. (See Note on Luke 3:2.)
The children.—Literally, the boys, the noun being masculine. Taking the
Jewishclassificationofages, they would probably be from sevento fourteen
years old, but in such a narrative as this the generalphrase does not exclude
younger children.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Ellicott, Charles John. "Commentary on Matthew 21:15". "Ellicott's
Commentary for English Readers".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ebc/matthew-21.html. 1905.

Treasuryof Scripture Knowledge
And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did,
and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of
when
23; 26:3,59;27:1,20;Isaiah 26:11;Mark 11:18;Luke 19:39,40;20:1; 22:2,66;
John 11:47-49,57;12:19
Hosanna
9; 22:42; John 7:42
they were
John 4:1
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Torrey, R. A. "Commentary on Matthew 21:15". "The Treasuryof Scripture
Knowledge". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tsk/matthew-
21.html.
E.M. Zerr's Commentary on SelectedBooksofthe New Testament
The original word for crying is defined in the lexicon, "to speak with a loud
voice," and means the children let themselves be heard in shouting their good

wishes for Jesus. The chief priests and scribes were sore displeasedevidently
because they were envious of the attention that he was receiving.
STUDYLIGHT ON VERSE 16
Adam Clarke Commentary
Out of the mouth of babes - The eighth Psalm, out of which these words are
quoted, is applied to Jesus Christin three other places in the new covenant, 1
Corinthians 15:27; Ephesians 1:22;Hebrews 2:6. Which proves it to be
merely a prophetic psalm, relating to the Messiah.
It was a common thing among the Jews for the children to be employed in
public acclamations;and thus they were accustomedto hail their celebrated
rabbins. This shouting of the children was therefore no strange thing in the
land: only they were exasperated, becausea personwas celebratedagainst
whom they had a rooted hatred. As to the prophecy that foretold this, they
regardedit not. Some imagine that babes and sucklings in the prophecy have
a much more extensive meaning, and refer also to the first preachers of the
Gospelof Christ.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography

Clarke, Adam. "Commentary on Matthew 21:16". "The Adam Clarke
Commentary". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/matthew-
21.html. 1832.
Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible
And said unto him, Hearestthou what these are saying? And Jesus saithunto
them, Yea, did ye never read; Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou
hast perfectedpraise? And he left them, and went forth out of the city to
Bethany, and lodgedthere.
Again Jesus appealedto the Scriptures (see Psalms 8:2). The praise of the
children Jesus did not reject. It was indeed fulfillment of prophecy and should
have been recognizedby the Phariseesas additional proof of the identity of
the Holy One among them. The fulfillment of God's purpose is seenin the
actionof the children. Since those who should have praised him refused to do
so, the very children took up the cry; and the temple rang with the praises of
its true Head and authority. God's will be done!
These events took place on Monday, although Matthew's accountleaves an
impression that it occurredon Sunday. Matthew did not pay much attention
to strict chronologicalsequence but arrangedmuch of his material topically.
Bethany, the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary, became Christ's base of
operations for the crucialevents of Passionweek. Bethanywas locatedon the
farther side of the Mount of Olives and was about two miles distant from
Jerusalemon the road to Jericho.

Copyright Statement
James Burton Coffman Commentaries reproduced by permission of Abilene
Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. All other rights reserved.
Bibliography
Coffman, James Burton. "Commentary on Matthew 21:16". "Coffman
Commentaries on the Old and New Testament".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bcc/matthew-21.html. Abilene
Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. 1983-1999.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible
And said unto him, hearestthou what these say?.... Suggesting, thatif he did,
he ought to reprove them, or else he would be a very vain, as wellas a weak
man, to take such things to himself, which did not belong to him, and that
from such poor, little, silly creatures, so void of knowledge and
understanding:
and Jesus saidunto them, yea:signifying he did hear, and well approved of
what they said, and was ready to vindicate it; and did, by putting the
following question to them,
have ye never read; that passageofScripture in Psalm 8:2
out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfectedpraise? in the
original text it is, "thou hast ordained", or "founded strength";and which is
rendered by the Septuagint, as it is by Matthew here; and glory and strength

are mentioned together, as being to be given to God, Psalm 29:1 and so
"strength" and "praise" by the Targumistin Isaiah13:3 by which is meant
strong glory, or glory and praise expressedwith a strong voice, or in a very
vehement manner, as it was by these babes and sucklings;and this owing to
God's disposing them hereunto, putting it into their mouths, and
strengthening them to declare it in a very strong and powerful manner; so
that his strength was made perfect in their weakness, andhis praise the more
glorious. In the Psalmit is added, "because ofthine enemies, that thou might
still the enemy, and the avenger":by whom are meant the high priests, the
Scribes and Pharisees, the mortal enemies of Christ, who were full of enmity
againsthim, and wanted to revenge themselves on him for spoiling their
market at this time; but were stilled by the "Hosannas"ofthe children, and
Christ's defence of them. The Jews themselves seemto be conscious,that these
words relate to the Messiah;for they sayF12, that
"babes and sucklings, ‫ןיבהי‬ ‫,אפקות‬ shall give strength to the king Messiah'
manifestly referring to this passage.
Copyright Statement
The New John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible Modernisedand adapted
for the computer by Larry Pierce of Online Bible. All Rightes Reserved,
Larry Pierce, Winterbourne, Ontario.
A printed copy of this work can be ordered from: The Baptist Standard
Bearer, 1 Iron Oaks Dr, Paris, AR, 72855
Bibliography

Gill, John. "Commentary on Matthew 21:16". "The New JohnGill Exposition
of the Entire Bible".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/geb/matthew-21.html. 1999.
Geneva Study Bible
Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast h
perfectedpraise?
(h) You have made most perfect. We read in David, "Thou hastestablished"
or "grounded", and if the matter is consideredwell, the evangelistsays here
the same thing, for that which is most perfect is stable and sure.
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Bibliography
Beza, Theodore. "Commentaryon Matthew 21:16". "The 1599 Geneva Study
Bible". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/gsb/matthew-21.html.
1599-1645.
People's New Testament
Hearestthou what these say? Christ's answerto the priests is a rebuke to all
who would check religious enthusiasm on the part of children. The quotation
is from Psalm 8:2. The praise of the innocent child is the perfectionof praise.

Copyright Statement
Original work done by Ernie Stefanik. First published online in 1996 atThe
RestorationMovementPages.
Bibliography
Johnson, BartonW. "Commentary on Matthew 21:16". "People's New
Testament". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/pnt/matthew-
21.html. 1891.
Robertson's WordPictures in the New Testament
Hearestthou (ακουεις — akoueis). In a rage at the desecrationof the temple
by the shouts of the boys they try to shame Jesus, as responsible for it.
Thou hast perfected(κατηρτισω — katērtisō). The quotation is from Psalms
8:3 (lxx text). See note on Matthew 4:21 where the same verb is used for
mending nets. Here it is the timeless aoristmiddle indicative with the
perfective use of κατα — katȧ It was a stinging rebuke.
Copyright Statement
The Robertson's WordPictures of the New Testament. Copyright �
Broadman Press 1932,33,Renewal1960. All rights reserved. Used by
permission of Broadman Press (Southern BaptistSunday SchoolBoard)

Bibliography
Robertson, A.T. "Commentary on Matthew 21:16". "Robertson's Word
Pictures of the New Testament".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/rwp/matthew-21.html.
Broadman Press 1932,33.Renewal1960.
Vincent's Word Studies
Say ( λέγουσιν )
The Rev. is more graphic, are saying. While the songs and shouts are rising,
the priests turn angrily to Christ with the question, “Hearestthou what these
are saying?”
Thou hast perfected( θκατηρτίσω )
The same word as at Matthew 4:21, where it is used of adjusting or mending
nets. Its secondarymeaning is to furnish completely, equip; hence to perfect.
Thou hast provided the perfection of praise. The quotation from Psalm 8:2,
follows the Septuagint, and not the Hebrew, which is, “Thouhast founded
strength.”
Copyright Statement
The text of this work is public domain.
Bibliography

Vincent, Marvin R. DD. "Commentaryon Matthew 21:16". "Vincent's Word
Studies in the New Testament".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/vnt/matthew-21.html. Charles
Schribner's Sons. New York, USA. 1887.
Wesley's ExplanatoryNotes
Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast
perfectedpraise?
Psalm8:2.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Wesley, John. "Commentary on Matthew 21:16". "JohnWesley's
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/wen/matthew-21.html. 1765.
The Fourfold Gospel

and said unto him, Hearestthou what these are saying? And Jesus saithunto
them, Yea: did ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou
has perfectedpraise?
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfectedpraise. Psalms
8:2 as rendered by the Septuagint.
Copyright Statement
is available on the Christian ClassicsEtherealLibrary Website. These files
were made available by Mr. Ernie Stefanik. First published online in 1996 at
The RestorationMovementPages.
Bibliography
J. W. McGarveyand Philip Y. Pendleton. "Commentaryon Matthew 21:16".
"The Fourfold Gospel".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tfg/matthew-21.html.
Standard Publishing Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. 1914.
Calvin's Commentary on the Bible
16.And have you never read? The scribes and priests seize on this as an
opportunity of calumniating Christ, that he allows himself to be calleda King
by children; as it is always the custom of wickedpeople haughtily to despise
the mean condition of the disciples of Christ. This malicious designChrist
checks by a quotation from David, who makes even infants to be the heralds
of the glory of God. Literally the words run,
Out of the mouth of infants and sucklings thou hast founded strength, (Psalms
8:2;)

by which David means that, though every tongue were silent, (19)God needs
no other orators to proclaim his power than mere infants, who are still
hanging on their mothers’ breasts. In themselves, no doubt, they are silent;
but the wonderful providence of God, which shines in them, serves the
purpose of splendid and powerful eloquence. Forhe who considers with
himself how the child is formed in the mother’s womb, is nourished there for
nine months, afterwards comes into the world, and finds nourishment
provided as soonas it is born, must not only acknowledgethat God is the
Creatorof the world, but will be altogethercarried awayinto admiration of
Him. (20)Thus the sun and moon, though they are dumb creatures, are said
to have a loud and distinct voice for singing the praises of God, (Psalms 19:1.)
But since the praises of God are heard from the tongue of infants, Christ
infers from this, that it is not strange if He cause them to be uttered by
children who have already acquired the use of speech.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Calvin, John. "Commentary on Matthew 21:16". "Calvin's Commentary on
the Bible". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cal/matthew-
21.html. 1840-57.
John Trapp Complete Commentary
16 And said unto him, Hearestthou what these say? And Jesus saithunto
them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou
hast perfectedpraise?

Ver. 16. Thou hast perfectedpraise] κατηρτισω,thou hast given it all its parts
and proportions, {a} thou hast completed and accomplishedit. The Hebrew
saith, fundasti, thou hast founded praise, and well bottomed it. Quae enim
perfecta, sunt firmissima. For those who are perfected are grounded. Now
there is no mouth so weak into which God cannotput words of praise. And
how often doth he choose the silly simpletons of the world to confound the
wise and learned? {See Trapp on "Psalms 8:2"}And here it is observable that
our Saviour answers warilyto the captious question; so as he may neither
offend Caesar, by taking upon him to be a king, nor stumble the people, who
took him for no less, and he was well pleasedtherewith. Let our dove-like
simplicity be mixed with serpentine subtilty, that we run not ourselves
heedlesslyinto unnecessarydangers.
{a} αρτιονestquod constatomnibus membris.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Trapp, John. "Commentary on Matthew 21:16". John Trapp Complete
Commentary. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jtc/matthew-
21.html. 1865-1868.

Charles Simeon's Horae Homileticae
DISCOURSE:1385
CHILDREN VINDICATED
Matthew 21:16. Have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings
thou hast perfectedpraise?
THE wisdom of our Lord was very conspicuous in the answers he returned to
cavilers. He was thoroughly conversantwith every part of the sacredwritings;
and to them he appealed on every occasion. In his conflicts with Satan, he
invariably had recourse to them [Note:Matthew 4:4; Matthew 4:7; Matthew
4:10.]: and when assaultedby men, he fought with no weaponwhich was not
brought from that divine arsenal[Note: Compare Matthew 26:51-54. with
John 5:39.]: and every passagewhichhe adduced was as an arrow from a
well-directedbow. This is well exemplified in the words before us.
Our Lord had just driven the traders and moneychangers out of the temple;
and had healedmultitudes of persons, who flockedaround him for a cure. The
children that were present, being struck with wonder both at his authority
and benevolence, surrounded him with acclamations and hosannahs, and
welcomedhim as the Messiah promised to their nation. The chief priests and
scribes, on the contrary, were filled with indignation; and remonstrated with
our Lord, for suffering them to express suchsentiments in his hearing:
“Hearestthou what these say?” ‘It is a disgrace to thee to be pleasedwith the
acclamations ofweak, sillychildren; or of an ignorant and infatuated mob
[Note:The word παῖδας may probably mean servants and followers, rather
than mere children.].’ Yes, these, who should have been the foremostto
encourage earlypiety, were the very first to repress it. But our Lord repelled
their objectionby an unanswerable appealto Scripture: “Have ye never read,

Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfectedpraise [Note: The
words used by David are, “Thou hast ordained strength.” See Psalms 8:2. But
our Lord quoted, as the Apostles after him frequently did, from the
Septuagint Translation, and not from the Hebrew. The meaning, however, is
the same in both: God manifests his strength, and glorifies his name, in using
weak instruments to effecthis purposes.]?”
Now, from these words I shall take occasionto shew,
I. That the Scriptures are the standard by which every thing must be tried—
[By them must all our sentiments be formed, and all our conduct regulated.
The Apostles continually, in support of their doctrines, refer to them. It is a
frequent expressionof St. Paul, “But what saith the Scripture?” And to that
must our appealalso be made, on every occasion. Then, if our views or actions
be blamed, we have at leasta rule whereby they may be judged: and if they be
in accordancewith that rule, we need feel no concern, even though they be
condemned by the whole world. There are in the Christian system, and in the
Christian life too, many things which, by an ungodly world, are accounted
foolishness;and we must expect that those things will be disapproved in us.
But, when blamed on accountof those things, we should mildly reply, ‘Have
ye never read such or such declarations in Holy Writ? You think my views of
man’s fall are too gloomy: but have ye never read, “The carnal mind is enmity
with God?” You think that I carry my religious zeal too far: but have you
never read, “The love of Christ constrainethus to live to Him who died for us,
and rose again?” ’Thus always bring both yourselves and others to the
Scriptures, as the only test of truth: for so hath God directed us: “To the word
and to the testimony: if men speak not according to this word, it is because
there is no light in them [Note:Isaiah 8:20.].”]

In this way you will be able to shew,
II. That devotion, by whomsoevercondemned, will be found conformable to
that standard—
[The hosannahs of the children were most probably regardedas the effusions
of weak and uninformed minds. And this is the constructionwhich is still put
on the conduct of those who endeavour to exalt the Saviour, and who are, on
this account, derided as enthusiasts. But look into the Scripture, and see the
state of David’s mind. Can any one read the Psalms, and not wish to be in the
same frame of mind with him, when he said, “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and
all that is within me bless his holy name?” In the New Testamentit is written,
“Rejoicein the Lord always;and againI say, Rejoice.”In fact, there should
not be an hour in the day, in which our souls should not be tuned for praise.
And though we are not called to express our admiration and love in the same
public manner as the children in the temple were, there should be in us the
same disposition; yes, and in our secretchamber, too, the same exercise ofit
as we have seenin them. Nor, if a public testimony of our love to the Saviour
be called for, should we be either ashamedor afraid to give it. It is by praise
that God is glorified [Note:Psalms 50:23.]. In heaven, the saints and angels
have no other employment: and it is our privilege, and duty too, to begin our
heaven upon earth.]
For your comfort, also, will you find,
III. That the weakerthe instruments by whom his glory is advanced, the more
is God glorified—

[We should have been ready to think that the praises of the Chief Priests
would have been more to the honour of our blessedLord: and at this time we
are apt to imagine that the services ofthe rich and learned more exalt God
than those of the poor and ignorant. But the very reverse of this is more
consistentwith truth. For, if the wise and noble were most forward to honour
the Saviour, we should impute their conduct to natural principles: we should
conclude that reasonand education were the chief means of their conversion.
But, when we see babes and sucklings wellinstructed in the things that are hid
from the wise and prudent, we are constrainedto ascribe the effectto grace
alone [Note: Matthew 11:25-26.]. Letnone, therefore, think that they are
incapable of glorifying God; or that “God will despise the day of small
things:” for the prayer of the Publican and the mite of the widow were more
acceptable to God than many longer prayers and richer offerings:and if only
we “serve God with what we have, it shall be acceptedof him [Note:2
Corinthians 8:12.].” Four times does God tell his poorer worshippers to serve
him with “suchas they can get[Note: Leviticus 14:21; Leviticus 14:30-32.].”
In truth, “the weakerwe are in ourselves, the more is his strength perfected in
our weakness[Note:2 Corinthians 12:9.].”]
Application—
1. Let parents labour to bring their children to Christ—
[Parents are apt to neglecttheir children, under an idea that their minds are
not sufficiently expanded to receive divine knowledge. Butwe read of many
who were sanctifiedfrom their earliestinfancy [Note:Samuel, Abijah, Josiah,
Timothy, John the Baptist.]:and the instance before us is sufficient to
encourage ourmost laborious exertions [Note:Here shew the importance of
the Institution of Sunday, or Infant, or Charity Schools.] — — — Happy the
parents of such children as those! and happy the children whose earliestyears
are thus devotedto the Lord! Let religious parents, in particular, look to it,

that they spare no pains in instructing their children, and praying both with
them and for them: for so has God commanded [Note: Ephesians 6:4.]: and
they have his promise, that in due seasonhe will prospertheir efforts [Note:
Proverbs 22:6.].]
2. Let us, who are instructed in the Gospel, abound in praises to our blessed
Lord—
[Those children had to oppose the example and authority of the Priests;and,
of course, were very imperfectly acquainted with the characterofour Lord
and Saviour: yet they praised and adored him with all their power. But we see
Jesus as our incarnate God: we know the true end of his death as an
atonement for our sins: we behold him risen, and exalted to the right hand of
God, and ever living to make intercessionfor us. We, too, are urged by all
possible motives to serve and glorify him. How culpable, then, shall we be, if
we neglectto honour him! and how will those children rise up in judgment
againstus, to condemn us, if we do not glorify him before the whole world! I
call on all of you, then, to getyour minds impressed with the glory and
excellencyof your Saviour; and from henceforth, both in public and in
private, to adore and magnify him with your most gratefulacclamations.]
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Bibliography

Simeon, Charles. "Commentary on Matthew 21:16". Charles Simeon's Horae
Homileticae. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/shh/matthew-
21.html. 1832.
Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomonof the New Testament
Matthew 21:16. ἀκούεις, κ. τ. λ., dost Thou hear? etc.) Every thing which is
not commonplace and traditional, is too much for hypocrites.(920)—
θηλαζόντων, sucklings)who might be as much as three years old.(921)See 2
Maccabees7:27.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Bengel, JohannAlbrecht. "Commentary on Matthew 21:16". Johann
Albrecht Bengel's Gnomonof the New Testament.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jab/matthew-21.html. 1897.
Matthew Poole's EnglishAnnotations on the Holy Bible
Ver. 15,16. The other evangelists saynothing of this part of this history. The
wonderful things here mentioned, are his healing the blind and lame, of which
we read Matthew 21:14. The cry of the children doubtless more displeased
them; it was of the same nature with that of the multitude in the way, and in
the streets, whenour Lord came into Jerusalem;they owned Christ as the

Messiah, andgave him praise, and wished all manner of felicity to him. The
Pharisees showing a displeasure at the acclamation, Christ refers them to
what was written, Psalms 8:2: there it is, thou hast founded, or ordained,
strength, that is, a solid and firm praise; a prediction that from the testimony
of such weak persons, the glorious powerof Christ should be proclaimed, and
from such mean and despicable beginnings greatand glorious things should
come to pass.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Poole, Matthew, "Commentaryon Matthew 21:16". Matthew Poole's English
Annotations on the Holy Bible.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/mpc/matthew-21.html. 1685.
Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament
Read, Psalms 8:2. The quotation was from the Septuagint, the Greek
translation of the Old Testament, where the words "ordained strength" in the
Hebrew, are translated "perfectedpraise." The conversionof children to the
Saviour is foretold in the Scriptures. We ought therefore to seek andexpect it,
and when it takes place, to rejoice in it as a new evidence of the truth of the
Bible and of the Messiahshipof Jesus Christ.
Copyright Statement

Bibliography
Edwards, Justin. "Commentary on Matthew 21:16". "FamilyBible New
Testament". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/fam/matthew-
21.html. American TractSociety. 1851.
Cambridge Greek Testamentfor Schools andColleges
16. ἐκ στόματος νηπίωνκ.τ.λ. The LXX. versionis followed, the rendering of
the Hebrew is: ‘out of (or by) the mouths of children and sucklings hast thou
founded strength’. Psalms 8:2. The ruling thought of the opening verses is the
glory of God set forth in His works. The ‘scarcelyarticulate’cry of an infant
proves, like the heavenand the stars, the powerand providence of God. On all
these God builds a strongholdagainstHis adversaries, i.e. convinces themof
His might. So also the children in the temple attestthe truth of God. See Dean
Perowne and Speaker’s Commentaryon the passagequoted.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
"Commentary on Matthew 21:16". "Cambridge Greek Testamentfor Schools
and Colleges".https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cgt/matthew-
21.html. 1896.

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible
16. Hearestthou — Dostthou hear how they call thee Sonof David — the
king by descent — the Messiahby title? Dostthou note that they are mere
children that do this? Jesus shows them that even of old, the praises of
children were the subjectof his own father David’s psalms, and so no fit
subject for present contempt and prohibition. Psalms 8:2.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Whedon, Daniel. "Commentary on Matthew 21:16". "Whedon's Commentary
on the Bible". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/whe/matthew-
21.html. 1874-1909.
PeterPett's Commentary on the Bible
‘And they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus says
to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings
you have perfectedpraise?’” ’
So they sharply drew His attention to the situation. ‘Do you not hear what
these are saying? They are calling you the Son of David.’ They knew that such

a connectionof the Sonof David with the Temple could bring down the wrath
of the Romans on them, and even possibly the wrath of God. And besides it
was unseemly. In the Temple any acclamationshould be directed towards
God. It should be God Who was being acclaimed. And considerwhat a noise
they were making! It was disturbing everybody.
Jesus’reply was simple. He pointed them againto the Scriptures (Psalms 8:2).
There was only One Who brought such praise from the mouths of the young
and innocent, and that was God, for their young hearts often saw straight
through to what was really important. And in what they were saying they
were more right than they knew. It was always those whose hearts were still
open to truth, who would discern it.
The quotation is from LXX. Matthew was equally at home with the Greek and
Hebrew texts of Scripture, and would sometimes apparently himself translate
from the Hebrew, would sometimes quote another translation, and would
sometimes make use of LXX, usually when using Mark.
It will be noted that we have here the first mention of the chief priests as
publicly active againstJesus, something true in all the Gospels exceptJohn.
Until His ministry beganto impact on the Temple itself they had takenlittle
public notice of Him, and thus the Apostles as a whole had not been aware of
them, but now that He was publicly challenging their own patch, they could
not publicly ignore Him. Forthe Temple was their responsibility. John, of
course, had inside knowledge ofwhat went on in high priestly circles and
knew a lot more therefore about what went on behind the scenes. He knew
that they had regularly been consultedby the leading Pharisees whenever
Jesus visited Jerusalemand had plotted with them againstHim (John 7:32;
John 7:45; John 11:47; John 11:57;John 12:10).

Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Pett, Peter. "Commentary on Matthew 21:16". "PeterPett's Commentaryon
the Bible ". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/pet/matthew-
21.html. 2013.
Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Matthew 21:16. Hearestthou what these are saying? They seemto complain
that children express a religious sentiment, and contemptuously hint that only
children call Him Messiah. Bigotrycanalways find some trifle on which to
ground its objections.
Did ye new read? A pointed rebuke, for He quotes from the Book it was their
business to read.
Out of the month of babes, etc. From Psalms 8:2, which speaks ofthe great
God being glorified by His insignificant creatures, althoughwe find in it a
typical reference to the Messiah. Lange:1. The praise of the Messiahis the
praise of God. 2. The praise of children is a praise which God Himself has
prepared for Himself, the miraculous energyof His Spirit. 3. The scribes
might fill up the rest: Thou hast prepared praise—‘onaccountof Thine
adversaries to bring to silence the enemy and the accuser.’

Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Schaff, Philip. "Commentary on Matthew 21:16". "Schaff's Popular
Commentary on the New Testament".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/scn/matthew-21.html. 1879-
90.
The Expositor's Greek Testament
Matthew 21:16. ἀκούεις, etc.:the holy men attack the leastobjectionable
phenomenon because they could do so safely; not the enthusiasm of the crowd,
the Messianichomage, the act of zeal, all deeply offensive to them, but the
innocent shouts of children echoing the cry of seniors. They were forsooth
unseemly in such a place!Hypocrites and cowards!No fault found with the
desecrationofthe sacredprecincts by an unhallowed traffic.— ναί, yes, of
course:cheery, hearty, yea, not without enjoyment of the ridiculous distress of
the sanctimonious guardians of the temple.— οὐδ. ἀνέγνωτε as in Matthew
19:4 : felicitous citation from Psalms 8:3, not to be prosaicallyinterpreted as if
children in arms three or four years old, still being suckledaccording to the
custom of Hebrew mothers, were among the shouting juniors. These prompt
happy citations show how familiar Jesus was with the O. T.
Copyright Statement

Bibliography
Nicol, W. Robertson, M.A., L.L.D. "Commentary on Matthew 21:16". The
Expositor's Greek Testament.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/egt/matthew-21.html. 1897-
1910.
George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary
Have you never read: Out of the mouth, &c. The words are Psalm viii. 3,
which some apply to the praises the people gave to David, when he had
conquered Goliath, but Christ applies them to the present circumstances.
(Witham) --- It is here said, that from the mouth of children the Almighty,
had perfectedpraise, as in Psalmviii. 3. in the Septuagint, to shew that their
words did not proceedfrom their own minds, but that their tender tongues
were employed by the power of God to sound forth his praise. (St. John
Chrysostom, hom. lxviii.) --- It is evident from this and various other texts,
that we ought to read the Old Testamentwith an eye to Christ, who was the
end of the law.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Haydock, George Leo. "Commentaryon Matthew 21:16". "George
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hcc/matthew-21.html. 1859.

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Jesus was accepting the praise of children