This incident followed the preceding one immediately (v. 21). The subject of joy continues, and the section on the responsibilities and rewards of discipleship reaches its climax here. Jesus expressed His joy to the Father in prayer for revealing to the disciples what they had learned, particularly Jesus' victory over Satan. This understanding constituted a unique privilege that Jesus pointed out to them.
The two parts of this section occur elsewhere in Jesus' ministry (vv. 21-22 in Matt. 11:25-27, and vv. 23-24 in Matt. 13:16-17). This suggests that Jesus said these things on more than one occasion.
10:21 The Holy Spirit's role in Jesus' ministry was another special interest of Luke's. The record of Jesus' similar prayer in Matthew 11:25-26 lacks the references to joy and the Holy Spirit. The phrase "rejoiced . . . in the Holy Spirit"(NASB) probably means that the Holy Spirit was the source of Jesus' joy (cf. Acts 13:52). He gave it to Jesus. This notation strengthens the force of what Jesus proceeded to say. Note that all three members of the Trinity appear in this verse. The Son empowered by the Spirit addressed His Father. This, too, points to a very significant statement to follow.
Jesus praised God for something the Father had done. He addressed God intimately as His Father (Gr. pater, the equivalent of the Aramaic abba, cf. 11:2). The title "Lord of heaven and earth"was a common one for Jews to use. It came from Genesis 14:19 and 22, and it draws attention to God's sovereignty. This allusion was appropriate in view of what Jesus thanked God for. Jesus probably meant that He praised God that although He had hidden the gospel of the kingdom from the humanly wise He had, nevertheless, revealed it to the humble (cf. 1:48-55; 8:10; 1 Cor. 1:18-31). The last sentence evidently means, "Yes, O Father, I praise you because this was your will (and I agree with it)."The wise and understanding that Jesus had in mind were probably the Jewish religious leaders, and the babes were His disciples. Jesus rejoiced in the privilege these disciples had had of understanding God's ways as they participated in His mission.
10:22 This verse appears to be a statement to the disciples rather than a continuation of Jesus' prayer, but verse 23 specifically identifies the beginning of His words to the disciples. Therefore we should probably understand verse 22 as part of His prayer. Apparently Jesus spoke these words for the disciples' benefit as much as for His Father's.
The "all things"in view probably include divine revelation and divine power considering the context. The second and third clauses indicate that the Father and the Son know each other completely. Consequently only the Son can reveal the Father. Jesus concluded by saying that the Son bestows knowledge of the Father according to the Son's will. By saying these things, Jesus was claiming to have an exclusive relationship with God and to be the sole mediator of the knowledge of God to humankind (cf. 4:32; 1 Tim. 2:5).
10:23 Now Jesus addressed the Seventy directly and congratulated them on participating in this revelation. The blessings that humble disciples experience contrast with the judgment that proud people who disregard the knowledge and power that Jesus revealed will experience (cf. 13-15; 1:52-55; 6:20-26; 1 Cor. 2:9-10). Those who saw what these disciples saw were blessed or fortunate. What they saw was the signs that the Messiah had arrived and His kingdom was at hand (v. 17).
10:24 The prophets typically looked forward to the fulfillment of the things that they predicted (1 Pet. 1:10-12). Kings probably represent the most important people of their day. Even they with all their advantages could not see and hear what Jesus' humble disciples could. What they saw was the signs of the advent of Messiah, and what they heard was the good news that the kingdom was at hand.
Jesus' teaching in this pericope glorified the privilege of being a disciple of His. Too often the responsibilities of discipleship make following Jesus appear very threatening and unattractive, but the rewards of discipleship far outweigh its costs (cf. Rom. 8:18). In view of this revelation, disciples of Jesus should feel encouraged to participate wholeheartedly and fully in God's mission for them. For us that means participation in the execution of the Great Commission (24:44-49).
