Lk 10:20 - The True Cause for Rejoicing
Therefore Jesus turns the disciples away from that joy (that the devils were subject to them in Jesus' name, Lk 10:17) and shows them the true and uniquely solid and worthy matter for rejoicing in verse 20: "Nevertheless, in this do not rejoice, that the spirits are subject to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
There is no doubt that Judas the traitor also cast out demons (Matthew 10:1, Mark 6:7, Luke 9:1), yet this power conferred upon him was not for his own salvation. Therefore, a certain and solid ground for joy and security cannot rest upon that which is not necessary for blessedness and with which a person can fall away from it.
God's knowledge and memory of those whom he knows as his own and has efficaciously willed to be future citizens of heaven is like a book in which those who will truly arrive at salvation are said to be written (cf. Revelation 20:15: "whoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire").
This manner of speaking is intended to raise and invite the disciples to a greater and more sublime joy. Therefore, according to the custom of human speech, he does not reprove or forbid that former joy, but shows a certain greater and better joy to which it is more advantageous and more perfect to surrender, because this joy is finally had concerning an immutable and eternal good (cf. Toletus, Jansenius, Maldonatus, Lapide, Lucas).
Lk 10:21 - Christ's Exultation in the Holy Spirit
And when he saw before him these disciples given to him by the Father, elected and beloved by the Father, his faithful companions and associates to whom it was given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God (Mark 4:11, John 17:6), in verse 21, "in that very hour he exulted in the Holy Spirit" - he rejoiced as man with joy proceeding from the Holy Spirit, and he rejoiced with a joy of soul overflowing into the flesh, which exultation was indeed communicated to the humanity from the Holy Spirit and from the divinity united to it (Toletus).
And he said: "I praise you" - I celebrate and proclaim you, I praise you, "Father, Lord of heaven and earth" - whom we wish to celebrate, we salute with excellent titles by which we signify at once the affection of love and reverence.
Lk 10:21-22 - Hidden from the Wise, Revealed to the Simple
So also Christ says, "that you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to little ones." "He has put down the mighty from their seat and exalted the humble; he has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty."
Those "wise" are chiefly the proud teachers of the law and Pharisees who seem wise and intelligent to themselves, and therefore, since God resists the proud, they are unworthy of divine gifts. But the "little ones" are the simple who, like little children, allow themselves to be led and taught, free from pride of spirit; to these divine wisdom communicates itself (cf. Psalm 18:9, Proverbs 8:5, 9:4).
In that concealment shines forth the justice of God, who finally left those invited and instructed by so many teachings and miracles of Christ in their reprobate sense. In the revelation made to little ones shines forth mercy; on both sides, the wisdom of God. Therefore God is rightly praised, who in this way manifestly displays justice, mercy, and wisdom. I have discussed this passage at greater length in my Commentary on Matthew I, p. 455 ff.
And with repetition, Christ asserts and rejoices in this praise of God: "Yes, Father, for so it has pleased you before you" (see Matthew 11:26).
Lk 10:22 - The Mutual Knowledge of Father and Son
What are those things which have been hidden from the proud but revealed to little ones? Toletus explains that Christ declares this in verse 22: "All things have been delivered to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and to whomever the Son wills to reveal him."
He reveals himself as equal to the Father, with whom he has the same power, the same dominion; who is so elevated above all things that only the Father knows him fully and perfectly, and who alone knows the Father. Since therefore they alone know each other perfectly, they are of the same nature and perfection.
Then the Son is established as the unique mediator of the salvation of all: "and to whomever the Son wills to reveal him" - for the knowledge of God is necessary for salvation; "for this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and him whom you have sent" (John 17:3). See more at Matthew 11:27, l.c. p. 459 ff.
Lk 23-24 - The Blessedness of the Disciples
Since therefore the disciples see, hear, and are taught by such a Son, what can be lacking for their happiness? Hence in verse 23, "turning to his disciples, he said: 'Blessed are the eyes which see what you see. For I say to you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see and did not see it, and to hear what you hear and did not hear it.'"
See Matthew 13:16-17 and recall Isaiah 45:8, 64:1, John 8:56, 1 Peter 1:10-12.
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