John Calvin Commentary Matthew 21:16

"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 has perfected praise?" — Matthew 21:16 (ASV)

And have you never read? The scribes and priests seize on this as an opportunity for slandering Christ, because He allows Himself to be called a King by children; for it is always the custom of wicked people arrogantly to despise the humble status of the disciples of Christ. This malicious design Christ counters with a quotation from David, who makes even infants to be the heralds of the glory of God. Literally, the words are:

Out of the mouth of infants and sucklings you have founded strength (Psalms 8:2).

By this, David means that, even if every tongue were silent,¹⁹ God needs no other orators to proclaim His power than mere infants, who are still nursing at 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.

For anyone who considers how a child is formed in the mother’s womb, is nourished there for nine months, afterwards comes into the world, and finds nourishment provided as soon as it is born, must not only acknowledge that God is the Creator of the world, but will be utterly moved to admire Him.²⁰

Thus the sun and moon, though they are mute creatures, are said to have a loud and distinct voice for singing the praises of God (Psalms 19:1–2).

But since the praises of God are heard from the tongue of infants, Christ infers from this that it is not surprising if He causes them to be uttered by children who have already acquired the use of speech.

¹⁹ “Quand toutes bouches seroyent closes, et toutes langues se tairoyent;” — “though every mouth were closed, and every tongue were silent.”;” — “though every mouth were closed, and every tongue were silent.”

²⁰ “Mais aussi il entrera en une grande admiration de sa puissance et sagesse infinie;” — “but also will greatly admire His infinite power and wisdom.”;” — “but also will greatly admire His infinite power and wisdom.”