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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
Seest thou, how many ways He leads them on to the faith? First, by His praises of John. For by pointing to him as a great and marvellous one, He proved likewise all his sayings credible, whereby he used to draw them on to the knowledge of Him. Secondly, by saying, "The kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force;" for this is the language of one who is pressing and urging them. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
This is what He is saying: I thank Thee, Father, that the Jews who seem to be wise and knowledgeable of the Scriptures did not believe, while the unlearned and the babes believed and recognized the mysteries. God hid the mysteries from those who seemed wise, not out of malice, or so as to cause ignorance, but because of their unworthiness, stemming from the very fact that they thought that they were wise. For he who thinks himself to be wise and is bold in his own knowledge does not call upon God. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
Jesus says, "My Father, Lord of heaven and earth," Father of him through whom all things were made. Surely all creation is embraced by these two nouns heaven and earth. Therefore the first book of God's Scripture says, "In the beginning God made heaven and earth." And "my help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." By the name of heaven is understood whatever is in heaven, and by the name of earth is understood whatever is on earth. …
Jerome
At that time, Jesus answered and said: I confess to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. Confession, not always repentance, but also signifies thanksgiving, as we often read in the psalms. Let those who calumniate the Savior for calling his Father the Lord of heaven and earth, not as one who is born, but as one who is created, hear. For if he is also a creature, and a creature can call its creator father, it would be foolish not to call both himself and the Lord of heaven and earth, or Father, in the same way. …
Gregory the Dialogist
He says not' to the foolish,' but to babes, showing that He condemns pride, not understanding. (Mor. xxv. 14.) In which words we have a lesson of humility, that we should not rashly presume to discuss the counsels of heaven concerning the calling of some, and the rejection of others showing that that cannot be unrighteous which is willed by Him that is righteous.
Translation