Matthew 18:10-14·~1 min

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Jesus says not to despise these little ones, because their angels in heaven always see the face of his Father.

S¹⁰ee 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.

Jesus compares the Father’s care to a shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to search for one lost sheep and rejoices when he finds it. In the same way, the Father does not will that any of these little ones should perish.

¹²What 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? ¹³And 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. ¹⁴In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

Section summaryJesus warns against despising the little ones, then points to heaven’s care for them. He asks about a shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to search for the one that wandered, and he says the Father does not will that any of these little ones perish.

Role in the chapterThis movement sets the Father’s care over the small beside the search and joy of a shepherd who goes after the lost.