God gave his replacement on earth all authority and dominion (see Daniel 7:14; Matthew 28:18; John 3:35, John 13:3). Jesus can forgive sins (Matthew 9:6), speaks with divine authority (Matthew 7:29), and even commands creation (Matthew 8:23–27). The basis of Jesus’ authority is his unique relationship of knowledge and love between the Father and the Son: No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son.
Yet the knowledge of the Son’s identity and will is a mystery to many, as none can know him or the fullness of his authority unless he chooses to reveal it (see John 6:44).
Jesus’ statement that all things have been handed over (entrusted) to me by my Father
shows his rule over heaven and earth (Matthew 11:25). God’s mystery remained hidden from the wise, but Jesus wants to make the Father known, so Matthew 11:27 echoes God’s act of revelation mentioned in Matthew 11:25.
God has entrusted his replacement on earth with all authority and dominion (see Daniel 7:14; Matthew 28:18; John 3:35, John 13:3). Jesus has authority to forgive sins (Matthew 9:6), speaks with divine authority (Matthew 7:29), and even commands the forces of nature (Matthew 8:23–27). All things
also includes the unique relationship of knowledge and love that exists between the Father and the Son: No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son.
Yet the knowledge of the Son—that is, true insight into the identity and will of the Son—remains a mystery to many, as none are able to understand the fullness of Jesus’ authority, or truly know the Mediator, apart from those to whom the Son himself chooses to reveal it (see John 6:44).1
There is a definite cosmic aspect present in the statement of Jesus in Matthew 11:27, namely that all things have been handed over (entrusted) to me by my Father.
Jesus of Nazareth reigns over heaven and earth as its ruler (Matthew 11:25). Philosophers and scientists received crumbs of knowledge, but God’s mystery remained hidden. Jesus not only has full knowledge of this mystery, but he also has full power over creation, as his miracles prove. This power, which the people observe, is based on his perfect unity with the Father. Everything has been entrusted to him because he fully knows the Father, just as the Father fully knows him.
This knowledge rises far above the knowledge of those who are considered wise among human beings. They always remain outsiders, even though they sometimes have a lot of knowledge about other parts of God’s creation. Jesus, however, is one with God in the way that no other human being is. Yet this perfect knowledge in which no one shares, and which is hidden from us does not forever remain hidden. Jesus proceeds to reveal it. He wants to make the Father known. Matthew 11:27 therefore reiterates the divine act of revelation mentioned in Matthew 11:25.2
27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.