Matthew 21:16
New International Version
“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, “’From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”

New Living Translation
They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” “Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’”

English Standard Version
and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?”

Berean Standard Bible
“Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. “Yes,” Jesus answered. “Have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?”

Berean Literal Bible
and said to Him, "Do you hear what these say?" And Jesus says to them, "Yes, have you never read: 'Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings You have prepared for yourself praise'?"

King James Bible
And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

New King James Version
and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?”

New American Standard Bible
and they said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘FROM THE MOUTHS OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES YOU HAVE PREPARED PRAISE FOR YOURSELF’?”

NASB 1995
and said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘OUT OF THE MOUTH OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES YOU HAVE PREPARED PRAISE FOR YOURSELF’?”

NASB 1977
and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘OUT OF THE MOUTH OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABES THOU HAST PREPARED PRAISE FOR THYSELF’?”

Legacy Standard Bible
and said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘OUT OF THE MOUTH OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES YOU HAVE PREPARED PRAISE FOR YOURSELF’?”

Amplified Bible
and they said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” And Jesus replied to them, “Yes; have you never read [in the Scripture], ‘OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF INFANTS AND NURSING BABIES YOU HAVE PREPARED and PROVIDED PRAISE FOR YOURSELF’?”

Christian Standard Bible
and said to him, “Do you hear what these children are saying? ” Jesus replied, “Yes, have you never read: You have prepared praise from the mouths of infants and nursing babies? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” “Yes,” Jesus told them. “Have you never read: You have prepared praise from the mouths of children and nursing infants?”

American Standard Version
and said unto him, Hearest thou what these are saying? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea: did ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

Contemporary English Version
The men said to Jesus, "Don't you hear what those children are saying?" "Yes, I do!" Jesus answered. "Don't you know that the Scriptures say, 'Children and infants will sing praises'?"

English Revised Version
and said unto him, Hearest thou what these are saying? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea: did ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They said to him, "Do you hear what these children are saying?" Jesus replied, "Yes, I do. Have you never read, 'From the mouths of little children and infants, you have created praise'?"

Good News Translation
So they asked Jesus, "Do you hear what they are saying?" "Indeed I do," answered Jesus. "Haven't you ever read this scripture? 'You have trained children and babies to offer perfect praise.'"

International Standard Version
and asked him, "Do you hear what these people are saying?" Jesus told them, "Yes! Haven't you ever read, 'From the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have created praise'?"

Majority Standard Bible
“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked. “Yes,” Jesus answered. “Have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?”

NET Bible
and said to him, "Do you hear what they are saying?" Jesus said to them, "Yes. Have you never read, 'Out of the mouths of children and nursing infants you have prepared praise for yourself'?"

New Heart English Bible
and said to him, "Do you hear what these are saying?" Jesus said to them, "Yes. Did you never read, 'Out of the mouth of children and infants you have prepared praise?'"

Webster's Bible Translation
And said to him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith to them, Yes: have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

Weymouth New Testament
"Do you hear," they asked Him, "what these children are saying?" "Yes," He replied; "have you never read, 'Out of the mouths of infants and of babes at the breast Thou hast brought forth the praise which is due'?"

World English Bible
and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of children and nursing babies, you have perfected praise?’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and they said to Him, “Do You hear what these say?” And Jesus says to them, “Yes, did you never read, that, Out of the mouth of babies and sucklings You prepared praise?”

Berean Literal Bible
and said to Him, "Do you hear what these say?" And Jesus says to them, "Yes, have you never read: 'Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings You have prepared for yourself praise'?"

Young's Literal Translation
and they said to him, 'Hearest thou what these say?' And Jesus saith to them, 'Yes, did ye never read, that, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou didst prepare praise?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And they said to him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus says to them, Yes; have ye never read, That out of the mouths of young children and sucklings thou hast adjusted praise?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And said to him: Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus said to them: Yea, have you never read: Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they said to him, “Do you hear what these ones are saying?” But Jesus said to them, “Certainly. Have you never read: For out of the mouth of babes and infants, you have perfected praise?”

New American Bible
and said to him, “Do you hear what they are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes; and have you never read the text, ‘Out of the mouths of infants and nurslings you have brought forth praise’?”

New Revised Standard Version
and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, ‘Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise for yourself’?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they said to him, Do you hear what they are saying? Jesus said to them, Yes; have you never read, From the mouth of little children and of boys you made praise?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And they were saying to him, “Have you heard what these are saying?” Yeshua said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, 'From the mouth of children and infants you have composed a song of praise?' “
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and they said to him: Do you not hear what these say? And Jesus said to them: Yes; have you never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

Godbey New Testament
and said to Him, Do you hear what they are saying? And Jesus says to them, Yes: have you not read, That out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

Haweis New Testament
and said to him, Hearest thou what these say? Jesus replied to them, Yes; but have ye never read, ?That out of the mouths of infants and sucklings thou hast perfected praise??

Mace New Testament
and said to him, do you hear what they say? yes, said Jesus; have ye never read, "out of the mouth of babes and sucklings I will make a consort of praise?"

Weymouth New Testament
"Do you hear," they asked Him, "what these children are saying?" "Yes," He replied; "have you never read, 'Out of the mouths of infants and of babes at the breast Thou hast brought forth the praise which is due'?"

Worrell New Testament
and said to Him, "Dost Thou hear what these are saying?" And Jesus saith to them, "Yes; did ye never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou didst perfect praise!'"

Worsley New Testament
And Jesus saith unto them, Yes, have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast procured praise?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
15But the chief priests and scribes were indignant when they saw the wonders He performed and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” 16“Do You hear what these children are saying?” they asked. “Yes,” Jesus answered. “Have you never read: ‘From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise’?” 17Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where He spent the night.…

Cross References
Psalm 8:2
From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise on account of Your adversaries, to silence the enemy and avenger.

Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

Luke 10:21
At that time Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.

Hebrews 2:6-8
But somewhere it is testified in these words: “What is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? / You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor / and placed everything under his feet.” When God subjected all things to him, He left nothing outside of his control. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him.

1 Corinthians 1:27
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

Isaiah 29:14
Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”

1 Peter 2:2
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

Psalm 118:22-23
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. / This is from the LORD, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

Isaiah 28:16
So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.

Ephesians 2:20
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.

Mark 12:10-11
Have you never read this Scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. / This is from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

Luke 20:17
But Jesus looked directly at them and said, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?

Acts 4:11
This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’

Romans 9:33
as it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”

1 Corinthians 3:19
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”


Treasury of Scripture

And said to him, Hear you what these say? And Jesus said to them, Yes; have you never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings you have perfected praise?

Hearest.

Luke 19:39,40
And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples…

John 11:47,48
Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles…

Acts 4:16-18
Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it

have.

Matthew 12:3
But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;

Matthew 19:4
And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,

Matthew 22:31
But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

Out.

Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

Psalm 8:2
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

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Babes Babies Breast Children Complete Forth Hear Hearest Infants Jesus Lips Mouth Mouths Nursing Ordained Perfect Perfected Praise Prepare Prepared Read Sucklings
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Matthew 21
1. Jesus rides into Jerusalem upon a donkey
12. drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple;
17. curses the fig tree;
23. puts to silence the priests and elders,
28. and rebukes them by the parable of the two sons,
33. and the husbandmen who slew such as were sent to them.














Do you hear what these children are saying?
In this phrase, the religious leaders are questioning Jesus about the praises being shouted by the children in the temple courts. The Greek word for "hear" is "akouō," which implies not just the act of hearing but also understanding and perceiving. The leaders are not merely asking if Jesus is aware of the noise; they are challenging the appropriateness of the children's acclamations. Historically, the temple was a place of solemnity and reverence, and the leaders were likely concerned about maintaining decorum. However, this question reveals their blindness to the true identity of Jesus and the fulfillment of prophecy occurring before their eyes.

Jesus replied, 'Yes, have you never read
Jesus' response begins with an affirmation, "Yes," acknowledging that He is fully aware of the children's praises. The phrase "have you never read" is a rhetorical question that Jesus often uses to challenge the religious leaders' understanding of Scripture. It implies that the answer to their question is found in the very Scriptures they claim to know so well. This phrase underscores the irony that those who are supposed to be experts in the Law are missing its fulfillment in Christ. It also highlights Jesus' authority in interpreting Scripture, positioning Him as the ultimate teacher and revealer of God's truth.

'From the mouths of children and infants
Here, Jesus quotes from Psalm 8:2, which in the Hebrew context speaks of God's strength being established through the praises of the weakest and most vulnerable—children and infants. The Greek word for "mouths" is "stoma," which can also mean speech or language. This emphasizes that God ordains praise from the most unexpected sources, demonstrating His power and wisdom. In the historical context of Jesus' time, children were not highly regarded in society, yet God chooses them to proclaim His truth. This phrase serves as a reminder that God's ways are not man's ways, and He often uses the humble and lowly to accomplish His purposes.

You have prepared praise?
The phrase "You have prepared praise" is a direct quotation from the Septuagint version of Psalm 8:2. The Greek word for "prepared" is "katartizō," which means to perfect, complete, or equip. This suggests that God has intentionally ordained and equipped even the simplest voices to declare His glory. In the scriptural context, this praise is not just spontaneous but divinely orchestrated. It points to the sovereignty of God in orchestrating events and using all creation to fulfill His divine plan. This phrase is a powerful reminder of the inclusivity of God's kingdom, where all, regardless of age or status, are called to worship and glorify Him.

(16) Hearest thou what these say?--The priests and scribes had probably remained in the Temple, and had not heard the Hosannas which were raised on the Mount of Olives. The shouts of the children were therefore a surprise to them, and they turned to the Teacher and asked whether He accepted them in the sense in which they were addressed to Him. Had He really entered the Temple claiming to be the expected Christ? Did He approve this interruption of the order and quiet of its courts?

Have ye never read?--Better, did ye never read? The question was one which our Lord frequently asked in reasoning with the scribes who opposed Him (Matthew 12:3; Matthew 12:5; Matthew 19:4; Matthew 21:42; Matthew 22:31). It expressed very forcibly the estimate which He formed of their character as interpreters. They spent their lives in the study of the Law, and yet they perverted its meaning, and could not see its bearing on the events that passed around them. In this instance He cites the words of Psalm 8:2, the primary meaning of which appears to be that the child's wonder at the marvels of Creation is the truest worship. As applied by our Lord their lesson was the same. The cries of the children were the utterance of a truth which the priests and scribes rejected. To Him, to whom the innocent brightness of childhood was a delight, they were more acceptable than the half-hearted, self-seeking homage of older worshippers. The words are quoted from the LXX. translation. . . .

Verse 16. - Hearest thou what these say? They profess a great zeal for God's honour. They recognize that these cries implied high homage, if not actual worship, and appeal to Jesus to put a stop to such unseemly behaviour, approaching, as they would pretend, to formal blasphemy. Yea. Jesus replies that he hears what the children say, but sees no reason for silencing them; rather he proves that they were only fulfilling an old prophecy, originally, indeed, applied to Jehovah, but one which he claims as addressed to himself. Have ye never read? (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 perfected praise. The words are from the Septuagint, which seems to have preserved the original reading. The present Hebrew text gives, "Thou hast ordained strength," or "established a power." In the Lord's mouth the citation signifies that God is praised acceptably by the weak and ignorant when, following the impulse of their simple nature, they do him homage. Some expositors combine the force of the Hebrew and Greek by explaining that "the strength of the weak is praise, and that worship of Christ is strength" (Wordsworth). It is more simple to say, with Nosgen, that for the Hebrew "strength," "praise" is substituted, in order to give the idea that the children's acclamation was that which would still the enemy, as it certainly put to shame the captious objections of the Pharisees.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“Do you hear
Ἀκούεις (Akoueis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

what
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

these [children]
οὗτοι (houtoi)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

are saying?”
λέγουσιν (legousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

they asked.
εἶπαν (eipan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“Yes,”
Ναί (Nai)
Particle
Strong's 3483: Yes, certainly, even so. A primary particle of strong affirmation; yes.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

answered,
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“have you never read:
ἀνέγνωτε (anegnōte)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 314: To read, know again, know certainly, recognize, discern. From ana and ginosko; to know again, i.e. to read.

‘From
Ἐκ (Ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

[the] mouths
στόματος (stomatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4750: The mouth, speech, eloquence in speech, the point of a sword.

of children
νηπίων (nēpiōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3516: From an obsolete particle ne- and epos; not speaking, i.e. An infant; figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature Christian.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

infants
θηλαζόντων (thēlazontōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 2337: (a) I give suck, (b) I suck. From thele; to suckle, to suck.

You have ordained
Κατηρτίσω (Katērtisō)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2675: From kata and a derivative of artios; to complete thoroughly, i.e. Repair or adjust.

praise’?”
αἶνον (ainon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 136: Praise. Apparently a prime word; properly, a story, but used in the sense of epainos; praise.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 21:16 And said to him Do you hear (Matt. Mat Mt)
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