New Testament

Luke 10:21

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, Jesus expresses joy in the Holy Spirit as He thanks God the Father for revealing spiritual truths to those who are humble and childlike, rather than to the wise and learned.

Author
Luke the physician
Written
Around AD 60-62
Genre
Gospel and history
Original Audience
Gentile Christians (addressed to Theophilus)
CBTClear Bible Translation

At that time, Jesus rejoiced in spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was pleasing in your sight."

KJVKing James Version

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, Jesus expresses joy in the Holy Spirit as He thanks God the Father for revealing spiritual truths to those who are humble and childlike, rather than to the wise and learned. This highlights a key aspect of Jesus' ministry: the idea that true understanding of God's kingdom is not based on human wisdom or intellect, but on a heart that is open and receptive like that of a child. The 'wise and prudent' represent those who rely on their own understanding, while 'little children' symbolize those who approach God with humility and trust. Jesus affirms that this divine choice to reveal truth to the humble is pleasing to God, emphasizing that God's ways often contrast with human expectations. Explore related anxiety.

Related topics

anxiety, fear, direction

How to apply Luke 10:21 to your life

This verse encourages us to cultivate a humble heart and approach God with childlike faith. Instead of relying solely on our intellect, we should seek spiritual understanding through prayer and openness to God's guidance. Embracing humility can lead to deeper insights into God's truth.

Curated for this public verse page. Luke Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Luke 10:21 mean?

Luke 10:21 shows Jesus expressing joy in the Holy Spirit as He thanks God for revealing spiritual truths to the humble rather than the wise. This highlights that understanding God's kingdom comes from a childlike heart, not human intellect.

What is the meaning of 'little children' in Luke 10:21?

In Luke 10:21, 'little children' symbolizes those who approach God with humility and trust. It contrasts with the 'wise and prudent,' indicating that spiritual insight is granted to those who are open and receptive.

Why does Jesus thank God in Luke 10:21?

Jesus thanks God in Luke 10:21 for hiding spiritual truths from the wise and revealing them to the humble. This reflects God's preference for humility and openness in receiving His wisdom.

What themes are present in Luke 10:21?

Key themes in Luke 10:21 include joy in the Spirit, revelation to the humble, the importance of childlike faith, and the contrast between divine wisdom and human wisdom.

The Book of Luke
Book Summary

The Book of Luke

Luke 1: The Births of John the Baptist and Jesus Foretold

In the days of Herod, king of Judaea, a priest named Zacharias serves in the temple. He and his wife Elisabeth are both righteous but have no children because Elisabeth is barren, and they are both old. While Zacharias burns incense, the angel Gabriel appears to him and says Elisabeth will bear a son who is to be named John. The child will be great before the Lord, will drink no wine or strong drink, and will be filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. Zacharias asks how he can know this, since he and his wife are old. Gabriel says Zacharias will be unable to speak until these things come to pass because he did not believe.

Premium

Unlock the full Luke summary

Continue reading every chapter — themes, structure, and turning points.

The complete summary of Luke — a chapter-by-chapter breakdown covering all 24 chapters.

What you get

Every chapter of Luke summarized in clear, modern English

How each section connects — narrative flow, key themes, and turning points

Permanent access — read anytime, on any device

Best Value

Best value • Save over 90%

or

One-time purchase • Access anytime

ClearBible summaries are proprietary content and may not be copied, republished, or resold.

Checkout works as a guest. After payment, you create an account to claim your unlock.