The sound of these happy, unrestrained voices was an offense to the rulers of the temple. They set about putting a stop to such demonstrations. They represented to the people that the house of God was desecrated by the feet of the children and the shouts of rejoicing. Finding that their words made no impression on the people, the rulers appealed to Christ: "Hearest Thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings 593 Thou hast perfected praise?" Prophecy had foretold that Christ should be proclaimed as king, and that word must be fulfilled. The priests and rulers of Israel refused to herald His glory, and God moved upon the children to be His witnesses. Had the voices of the children been silent, the very pillars of the temple would have sounded the Saviour's praise.

Lyden af disse glade, frimodige stemmer var krænkende for templets embedsmænd. De gik i gang med at sætte en stopper for den slags tilkendegivelser. De foreholdt folket, at Guds hus blev vanhelliget ved lyden af børnenes fodtrin og alle fryderåbene. Da det gik op for dem, at deres ord ikke gjorde noget indtryk på skaren, henvendte de sig til Kristus: "Hører du ikke, hvad de siger? Og Jesus svarede dem: Jo, men har I aldrig læst de ord: Af spædes og diendes mund har du beredt dig lovsang. Ypperstepræsterne og de skriftkloge nægtede at forkynde hans ære, og Gud gav børnene lov til at være hans vidner. Hvis børnene havde tiet, ville selve templets søjler have lovprist Frelseren.