Matthew 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.
Matthew 18:14 nkjv
Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Matthew 18:14 niv
In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
Matthew 18:14 esv
So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Matthew 18:14 nlt
In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father's will that even one of these little ones should perish.
Matthew 18 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 40:11 | He will tend His flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs... | God's gentle care for His flock/vulnerable. |
| Ezek 34:16 | I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed... | God actively seeks and cares for the lost. |
| Ps 146:9 | The LORD protects the sojourners; He upholds the widow and the orphan. | God's special care for the weak/vulnerable. |
| Ps 121:7-8 | The LORD will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. | God's divine protection over His people. |
| 1 Tim 2:4 | God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved... | God's universal salvific will (dispositional). |
| 2 Pet 3:9 | The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise... but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish... | God's patience and desire for salvation. |
| Luke 15:7 | ...more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. | Heavenly joy over repentance and finding the lost. |
| Luke 19:10 | For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. | Christ's mission aligned with the Father's will. |
| Matt 9:13 | I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. | Jesus' focus on the needy. |
| Matt 10:42 | ...whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water... | Reward for caring for Christ's humble ones. |
| Mark 10:14-15 | Let the little children come to me; for to such belongs the kingdom... | Children as models of humility for the kingdom. |
| Matt 18:3-4 | Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter... humble himself as this child is the greatest... | Humility and child-likeness as conditions for kingdom entry. |
| John 3:16 | ...whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. | Contrast of perishing with eternal life. |
| John 10:28-29 | I give them eternal life, and they will never perish... | Christ's sheep are secure and will not perish. |
| Rom 6:23 | For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus. | Perishing is eternal death; contrasted with eternal life. |
| Rom 8:38-39 | ...nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God... | God's unwavering love secures believers. |
| Heb 1:14 | Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? | Angels minister for the sake of God's heirs. |
| Ps 37:28 | For the LORD loves justice; He will not forsake His saints; they are preserved forever... | God's preservation of His faithful. |
| Isa 53:6 | All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way... | Humanity's lost condition. |
| Zech 13:7 | Strike the shepherd, that the sheep may be scattered... | Scattering of sheep imagery, inverse of gathering. |
| Jer 31:3 | I have loved you with an everlasting love... | God's enduring love for His chosen. |
Matthew 18 verses
Matthew 18 14 Meaning
Matthew 18:14 reveals a core aspect of God's divine character: it is contrary to His perfect will that even one of His "little ones" should perish. This statement encapsulates God's profound care and valuing of those who are vulnerable, humble, or newly embracing faith, emphasizing His benevolent intention for their preservation and eternal well-being, directly following Jesus' parable of the lost sheep.
Matthew 18 14 Context
This verse is situated within Matthew Chapter 18, often referred to as "The Discourse on the Kingdom and its Little Ones" or "Discourse on Humility." It immediately follows Jesus' Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:12-13), which emphasizes the Shepherd's diligent pursuit of even one lost sheep. Before this, Jesus teaches about the importance of humility, stating that one must become like a child to enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 18:1-4). He also issues a stern warning against causing one of "these little ones" to stumble (Matthew 18:6-7) and highlights the constant care of their angels who behold the face of the Father in heaven (Matthew 18:10). Thus, Matthew 18:14 serves as a theological summation and explanation of God's benevolent heart and protective posture towards those who are spiritually vulnerable, marginalized, or new in faith, echoing the value He places on each individual's eternal destiny. The "little ones" are typically understood to refer to humble believers, including actual children, and those who are simple in faith, whom the world often disregards but whom God deeply values.
Matthew 18 14 Word analysis
- So it is not: A strong negation. This expresses an emphatic truth about God's nature and disposition.
- the will: Greek: thelēma (θέλημα). This refers to God's desire, purpose, or good pleasure. It speaks to His character and benevolent intention, rather than an irresistible decree of universal salvation in this context, but rather His heart's deepest longing concerning these individuals.
- of your Father: Emphasizes the relational aspect. God is not just a distant deity but a loving Father who cares intimately for His children.
- who is in heaven: Acknowledges God's transcendent power, holiness, and supreme authority.
- that one of these little ones: Greek: henos tōn mikrōn toutōn (ἑνὸς τῶν μικρῶν τούτων).
- one: The singular emphasizes the immense value God places on each individual, echoing the parable of the one lost sheep.
- these: Refers specifically to the "little ones" previously mentioned in this chapter (v. 6, 10), implying the disciples and those who exhibit child-like humility.
- little ones: Greek: mikrōn (μικρῶν). This term is pivotal. While it can literally mean small children, in this context within Matthew 18, it encompasses humble, dependent disciples of Jesus, new converts, or those who are weak in faith. They are "little" not necessarily in age or physical stature, but in worldly status, power, or even spiritual maturity, highlighting their vulnerability and dependence.
- should perish: Greek: apolētai (ἀπόληται). This signifies being lost, destroyed, or ruined. In a spiritual context, particularly contrasting with salvation and eternal life, it refers to eternal condemnation or destruction, rather than mere physical death. It underlines the gravity of the spiritual danger Jesus is addressing.
Matthew 18 14 Bonus section
The "will of your Father" expressed here does not necessarily imply a decree of irresistible grace for every single individual universally, but rather points to God's moral and dispositional will. It expresses what pleases Him and what aligns with His loving character, setting a standard for how His followers should also value and pursue the welfare of others, especially the vulnerable. The verse carries significant implications for ministry, highlighting the importance of evangelism and pastoral care for new believers and those struggling in their faith, aligning human effort with the divine heart that does not wish anyone to eternally perish.
Matthew 18 14 Commentary
Matthew 18:14 reveals the profound depths of God's parental care and salvific desire. Coming after the Parable of the Lost Sheep, it clarifies the shepherd's diligence: it stems from the very character of the Heavenly Father, who values every single "little one"—meaning not just actual children, but humble believers, vulnerable disciples, and those easily overlooked or prone to stumble. God’s "will" here speaks to His benevolent disposition and heart toward His flock. It emphasizes that the Father takes no pleasure in the destruction or eternal loss of any such individual. This verse stands as a testament to God's love for the individual, affirming His commitment to seek and preserve those whom the world might deem insignificant. It reassures believers of their immense value to God and underscores His desire for their eternal safety, while also implying the serious consequences of perishing for those who reject Him.