10"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones — for I say to you that their angels in the heavens continually look upon the face of my Father who is in heaven. [18:12] What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that has wandered off? [18:13] And if he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray. [18:14] So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish."
MAT 18:10-14
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
In the world it was spoken into
In the agrarian society of first-century Galilee, sheep were a vital economic asset, and losing even one could significantly impact a shepherd’s livelihood. The parable’s imagery of a shepherd leaving ninety-nine sheep to seek one stray would resonate deeply with listeners familiar with pastoral life. The shepherd’s actions reflect a countercultural prioritization of the lost over the secure, challenging societal norms that valued the collective over the individual. The term 'little ones' refers not merely to children but to those of low social status—the marginalized, vulnerable, or insignificant in the eyes of society. The warning against 'despising' these 'little ones' underscores the honor-shame dynamics of the time, where dismissing the lowly was commonplace. The mention of angels beholding the Father’s face highlights the intimate access these 'little ones' have to God, elevating their status in the divine economy. The parable subverts societal hierarchies, emphasizing God’s care for the lost and marginalized.
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How other translations render this
MAT 18:10
- KJV
- Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
- BSB
- See that you do not look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven.
- Koinōnos
- See that you do not look down on one of these little ones — for I say to you that their angels in the heavens continually look upon the face of my Father who is in heaven.
MAT 18:12
- KJV
- How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
- BSB
- What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?
- Koinōnos
- What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that has wandered off?
MAT 18:13
- KJV
- And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
- BSB
- And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.
- Koinōnos
- And if he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray.
MAT 18:14
- KJV
- Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
- BSB
- In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
- Koinōnos
- So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MAT 18:10
- may you despise:The word translated 'may you despise' implies looking down on someone, treating them as insignificant or worthless, rather than simply not liking them.
- little ones:The term 'little ones' here refers to those who are humble, insignificant, or of low social standing, not necessarily children in age.
- face:The word translated 'face' often refers to the presence or immediate proximity of a person, indicating direct access or audience with someone important.
MAT 18:12
- shall have gone astray:The word translated 'shall have gone astray' carries the sense of being led off course or wandering from the right path, often implying error or deception.