Matthew 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?
Matthew 18:12 nkjv
"What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?
Matthew 18:12 niv
"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?
Matthew 18:12 esv
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?
Matthew 18:12 nlt
"If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost?
Matthew 18 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lk 15:3-7 | So He told them this parable, saying, "What man of you... goes after it... | Parallel parable; Jesus teaching about seeking the lost. |
| Lk 19:10 | For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. | Jesus' mission: to seek and save the lost. |
| Eze 34:11 | For thus says the Lord God: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep... | God as the Shepherd actively seeking His scattered flock. |
| Eze 34:12 | As a shepherd seeks out his flock... so will I seek out My sheep... | Divine diligence in seeking the lost. |
| Eze 34:16 | “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away... | God's promise to care for and restore the lost. |
| Jer 50:6 | My people have been lost sheep; Their shepherds have led them astray... | Israel depicted as sheep gone astray due to poor leadership. |
| Psa 23:1-3 | The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want... He restores my soul... | The Lord as the caring Shepherd who guides and restores. |
| Isa 40:11 | He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs... | Prophetic imagery of God's tender shepherding care. |
| Jn 10:11 | I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. | Jesus identifies as the ultimate Good Shepherd. |
| Jn 10:14 | I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. | The Shepherd's intimate knowledge of His sheep. |
| 1 Pet 2:25 | For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd | Believers were once astray, now returned to Christ. |
| Heb 13:20 | Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead... | Jesus identified as the "great Shepherd of the sheep." |
| Mt 18:14 | Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these | Directly connected: Father's will is for none to perish. |
| Mt 9:12-13 | ...“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick... | Jesus' ministry directed toward those who recognize their spiritual sickness/lostness. |
| Mk 2:17 | ...“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick... | Parallel to Matthew's account, emphasis on seeking the lost. |
| Mt 10:29-31 | Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them... | Highlights God's detailed care and value for all creation, including each individual. |
| Lk 15:6 | And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors... | Joy in finding the lost, which the shepherd exemplifies. |
| Lk 15:9 | And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors... | The woman's joy in finding the lost coin, mirroring divine joy. |
| Jas 5:19-20 | My brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone... | Practical application for believers to seek and restore those who stray. |
| Acts 20:28 | Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy | Paul admonishes elders to shepherd God's flock, echoing the divine model. |
| 1 Pet 5:2-3 | Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers... | Call to Christian leaders to lovingly shepherd God's people. |
| Gal 6:1 | Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual... | Instruction for spiritual individuals to gently restore those who stray. |
Matthew 18 verses
Matthew 18 12 Meaning
Matthew 18:12 presents a rhetorical question from Jesus, drawing upon the common experience of shepherding to illustrate God's profound heart for individuals who have gone astray. It highlights the divine, persistent, and active pursuit of the single lost soul, affirming its immeasurable value in God's eyes. This parable underscores God's will that none of His "little ones"—whether vulnerable believers, those on the margins, or even those not yet aware of their need—should be lost.
Matthew 18 12 Context
Matthew 18:12 is embedded within Jesus' discourse on the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven and the conduct of His disciples. The chapter begins with the disciples asking who is greatest in the Kingdom (v.1), prompting Jesus to teach humility (v.2-5). This is followed by stern warnings against causing "little ones" (humble believers, children, or new converts) to stumble (v.6-9) and the emphatic statement in v.10 that these "little ones" are valued by the Father, whose angels always see His face. The Parable of the Lost Sheep immediately follows this assertion (v.12-14), providing a powerful illustration of the Father's relentless pursuit of even a single one of these "little ones" who has gone astray, reiterating His will that none should perish. This parable sets the stage for the instructions on church discipline and reconciliation (v.15-20), emphasizing restoration over abandonment.
Matthew 18 12 Word analysis
- What do you think? (Greek: τί ὑμῖν δοκεῖ, ti hymin dokei): This is a rhetorical question designed to engage the audience, inviting them to ponder and acknowledge the obvious truth of the situation presented. It appeals to their common sense and understanding of responsible care, especially concerning valuable possessions.
- If a man has (Greek: ἐάν γένηταί τινι ἀνθρώπῳ, ean genētai tini anthrōpō): This sets up a hypothetical but relatable scenario. The "man" (ἄνθρωπος, anthrōpos) here functions as a representation of a typical shepherd, allowing the listener to step into that role and perspective.
- a hundred sheep (Greek: ἑκατὸν πρόβατα, hekaton probata): A common and significant number for a flock. Sheep (probata) are symbols of dependency, vulnerability, and followers. The large number underscores the sacrifice of leaving the many for the sake of the one.
- and one of them goes astray (Greek: καὶ πλανηθῇ ἓν ἐξ αὐτῶν, kai planēthē hen ex autōn): "Goes astray" (πλανηθῇ, planēthē) comes from planaō, meaning to wander, be led astray, or err. It implies an unintentional wandering off rather than willful rebellion. It highlights the lostness and vulnerability of the one sheep. "One" (hen) powerfully emphasizes the individual value.
- does he not leave (Greek: οὐχὶ ἀφήσει, ouchi aphēsei): This is a strong negative rhetorical question, expecting a "yes" answer. "Leave" (aphēsei) suggests a deliberate act of entrusting the ninety-nine, recognizing their relative safety. This is not abandonment, but a temporary setting aside to prioritize the lost.
- the ninety-nine on the mountains (Greek: τὰ ἐνενήκοντα ἐννέα ἐπὶ τὰ ὄρη, ta enenēkonta ennea epi ta orē): "On the mountains" (epi ta orē) indicates a usual pasturing place, implying that while not perfectly safe (predators exist), it's a relatively secure location where the bulk of the flock would naturally stay.
- and go in search (Greek: πορευθεὶς ζητεῖ, poreutheis zētei): "Go" (poreutheis) denotes active movement, and "search" (zētei) implies a diligent, persistent effort to find. This highlights the proactive, determined nature of the shepherd's (and God's) love and pursuit.
- of the one that went astray? (Greek: τὸ πλανώμενον, to planōmenon): This repetition of the idea of "going astray" further emphasizes the sole focus on the individual who is lost and highlights the desperate need for rescue.
Matthew 18 12 Bonus section
- This parable is often used to emphasize evangelism, but within its Matthew context, it specifically addresses the care of those within the community or those about to be part of the community, connecting deeply to the "little ones" in Mt 18:6, 10, 14. It instructs believers on how to relate to weaker members or those prone to error.
- The rhetorical question "What do you think?" is designed to solicit not just mental agreement, but heart-felt identification with the shepherd's priority.
- The emphasis on "one" lost sheep powerfully counters any utilitarian or statistical approach to salvation or ministry, where individual lives might be seen as less significant than the collective.
Matthew 18 12 Commentary
Matthew 18:12 serves as a pivotal illustration within Jesus' teaching on the kingdom and its values. Far from being a mere sentiment, it's a radical revelation of God's character and priorities. The shepherd's willingness to "leave the ninety-nine" is not reckless endangerment, but a calculated and profoundly loving act of prioritization. It demonstrates that the divine heart holds each individual in such high regard that no effort is too great to reclaim those who have strayed from the safety of the flock. This challenges any notion that God is concerned only with the multitude, or that the "saved" should passively observe the lost. Instead, it presents an active, searching love that parallels the Son of Man's mission to "seek and to save that which was lost" (Lk 19:10). The parable urges Jesus' followers to adopt a similar heart: to humble themselves, not to despise the "little ones," and to actively participate in the compassionate, seeking love of their Father for all who have wandered from the path of faith and fellowship.