Matthew 21:16 Meaning and Explanation
“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?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →When the leaders protest the children's praise, Jesus answers from Scripture that God has perfected praise from the mouths of infants.
What Does Matthew 21:16 Mean?
The leaders challenge Jesus, expecting Him to silence the children's cries. Instead He affirms the praise and answers with Scripture, citing the psalm that says God has "perfected praise" out of the mouths of babes and infants. He receives the children's worship as fitting and true.
Jesus does not merely permit the praise; He shows that it fulfills the very word of God. The smallest and least esteemed voices are the ones heaven delights to hear. This rebukes the proud and comforts the humble: God treasures sincere worship, however simple. Childlike praise, far from being beneath His notice, is exactly what He has ordained.
Matthew 21:16 in the Original Language
ainos (αἶνος), 'praise' -- glad worship offered to God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 21:16
What does Matthew 21:16 mean?
When the leaders protest the children's praise, Jesus answers from Scripture that God has perfected praise from the mouths of infants.