How does Luke 10:21 connect with Matthew 11:25 on divine revelation? The Shared Event • Luke 10:21 and Matthew 11:25 record the same moment. • Jesus has just watched the disciples’ mission succeed (Luke 10:17-20; Matthew 11:20-24). • He turns from addressing people to speaking directly to His Father. Identical Core Statement “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; Matthew 11:25) Both writers preserve: • The address: “Father, Lord of heaven and earth.” • The contrast: hidden from “wise and learned,” revealed to “little children.” • The reason: it pleased the Father to do so. What These Verses Teach About Divine Revelation • Revelation is a gift, not an achievement. God must “reveal,” or no one sees (cf. 1 Corinthians 2:14). • God’s sovereignty is central: “this was well-pleasing in Your sight.” • Human categories of status, intellect, or self-confidence do not guarantee insight (Isaiah 29:14). • Humility and childlike dependence position a person to receive (Psalm 25:9). • Revelation centers on “these things”--the identity of Jesus and the arrival of the kingdom (Matthew 11:3-6; Luke 10:23-24). Luke’s Added Note: “Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit” • Luke alone highlights the Spirit’s role, showing the Triune pattern: – Jesus (the Son) rejoices, – in the Holy Spirit, – addressing the Father. • Revelation is therefore Trinitarian: initiated by the Father, mediated through the Spirit, made known in the Son (John 14:26; 2 Corinthians 4:6). Matthew’s Contextual Emphasis • Matthew follows the prayer with the invitation “Come to Me…and I will give you rest” (11:28-30). • Revelation is not merely informational; it draws the humble to find rest in Christ Himself. Old Testament Echoes • Psalm 8:2: “Out of the mouths of babes and infants You have ordained praise.” • Daniel 2:22: “He reveals the deep and hidden things….” • Proverbs 3:34 (LXX): “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (quoted in James 4:6). Putting Both Verses Together • Same content: God’s sovereign unveiling. • Luke: spotlights the Spirit’s joy-filled involvement. • Matthew: ties revelation to the gentle invitation of Jesus. • Together: the Father gladly shows kingdom truths to those who come with childlike trust, through the work of the Son and the Spirit. Living It Out • Approach Scripture with dependence, not self-reliance. • Thank God that understanding is His gracious gift. • Expect the Spirit to use the Word to unfold Christ’s glory (Ephesians 1:17-18). |
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