Matthew 18:13

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.

And {G2532} if so {G1437} be {G1096} that he find {G2147} it {G846}, verily {G281} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}{G3754}, he rejoiceth {G5463} more {G3123} of {G1909} that {G846} sheep, than {G2228} of {G1909} the ninety and nine {G1768} which {G3588} went {G4105} not {G3361} astray {G4105}.

And if he happens to find it? Yes! I tell you he is happier over it than over the ninety-nine that never strayed!

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.

And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth over it more than over the ninety and nine which have not gone astray.

Matthew 18:13 is a pivotal verse within Jesus' Parable of the Lost Sheep, highlighting God's profound love and relentless pursuit of every individual soul. It encapsulates the shepherd's immense joy upon finding the one sheep that has strayed, contrasting it with the ninety-nine that remained safe.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus' discourse to His disciples on humility, the value of children (or "little ones"), and the seriousness of causing others to stumble (Matthew 18:6). The parable, beginning in Matthew 18:12, illustrates the Father's heart for those who might wander from the fold. It serves as a compassionate counterpoint to the earlier warnings, emphasizing God's desire for restoration rather than condemnation. A parallel account of this parable is also found in Luke 15:3-7, where it is presented in the context of Jesus welcoming sinners.

Key Themes

  • Divine Pursuit and Love: The parable vividly portrays God as a diligent shepherd who actively seeks out the lost. His love is not passive but pursues the one who has gone astray, demonstrating that no one is insignificant in His eyes. This echoes the broader biblical theme of God's redemptive love for humanity.
  • The Value of the Individual: Even among a large flock, the loss of one sheep is keenly felt and its recovery brings extraordinary joy. This underscores the immense value God places on each person, emphasizing that every soul is precious and worth seeking.
  • Joy in Restoration: The verse explicitly states the shepherd "rejoiceth more" over the found sheep. This highlights the immense joy in heaven over repentance and restoration, a theme also powerfully expressed in Luke 15:7 and Luke 15:10. It's not a diminishing of the faithful, but an exaltation of the grace of recovery.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "rejoiceth more" comes from the Greek word chairei (χαίρει) for "rejoiceth," signifying a deep, heartfelt joy. The addition of perissoteron (περισσότερον), meaning "more abundantly" or "exceedingly," intensifies this joy. It implies a celebratory relief and gladness unique to finding something that was lost and feared gone. The "lost" sheep (from apollumi - ἀπόλλυμι) implies one that is perishing or separated, reinforcing the urgency and significance of its recovery.

Practical Application

Matthew 18:13 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today:

  • For the Lost: It reassures those who feel separated from God, or who have strayed, that they are deeply loved and sought after. God's heart is to find and restore them, not to abandon them.
  • For the Church: It calls believers to embody the shepherd's heart, actively seeking out and welcoming back those who have wandered from faith or community. It encourages a spirit of compassion and evangelism, valuing each individual and celebrating every return.
  • Understanding God's Nature: This verse reveals a fundamental aspect of God's character: His relentless grace, infinite patience, and boundless joy in reconciliation. It reminds us that His desire is that none of His "little ones" should perish.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Zephaniah 3:17

    The LORD thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

  • James 2:13

    For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

  • John 4:34

    Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

  • John 4:36

    And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

  • Luke 15:5

    And when he hath found [it], he layeth [it] on his shoulders, rejoicing.

  • Luke 15:10

    Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

  • Jeremiah 32:37

    Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:

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