Bible Study series: Matthew 18:10-14. Jesus is willing to get the one that is lost, when it is in danger.
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In the next link to the original chapter, I comment more and offer the Greek text. At the bottom you will find a “Summary and Conclusion” section geared toward discipleship. Check it out!
In this post, links are provided for further study.
Let’s begin.
Scripture: Matthew 18:10-14
10 See to it that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you, “Their angels in heaven constantly see the face of my Father who is in heaven. [11 For the Son of Man has come to save the lost.] 12 What do you think? If a man owns one hundred sheep and one of them wanders off, won’t he leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and look for the one that is wandering off? 13 And if he happens to find it, I tell you the truth: he rejoices because of it more than the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 And thus it is not the will in the sight of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones would be lost.” (Matt. 18:10-14)
Comments:
Though the word parable is not used here, this passage obviously is. So what is a parable?
Literally, the word parable (parabolē in Greek) combines para– (pronounced pah-rah and means “alongside”) and bolē (pronounced boh-lay and means “put” or even “throw”). Therefore, a parable puts two or more images or ideas alongside each other to produce a clear truth. It is a story or narrative or short comparison that reveals the kingdom of God and the right way to live in it and the Father’s ways of dealing with humanity and his divine plan expressed in his kingdom and life generally. The Shorter Lexicon says that the Greek word parabolē can sometimes be translated as “symbol,” “type,” “figure,” and “illustration,” the latter term being virtually synonymous with parable. Here you must see yourself in the parable.
The application of this parable seems to go to these little ones, which we looked at in 18:1-9.
10:
The first half of the verse indicates that Jesus is no longer talking about children but weaker believers who get easily stumbled.
“I tell you”: this clause also denotes a solemn and authoritative pronouncement that may surprise his listeners and make them uncomfortable.
Regarding angels, France suggests that “see the face” is an idiom that means they have special access to the Father. The point is clear, however. Don’t despise the little ones because their angels see the face of God. God is omniscient (all-knowing), but even angels can watch people. The other point is that angels have good opinions of these little ones; therefore, the little ones have dignity.
Here is a multi-part study of angels in the area of systematic theology, but first a list of the basics.
Angels:
(a) Are messengers (in Hebrew mal’ak and in Greek angelos);
(b) Are created spirit beings;
(c) Have a beginning at their creation (not eternal);
(d) Have a beginning, but they are immortal (deathless).
(e) Have moral judgment;
(f) Have a certain measure of free will;
(g) Have high intelligence;
(h) Do not have physical bodies;
(i) But can manifest with immortal bodies before humans;
(j) Can show the emotion of joy.
Angels: Their Duties and Missions
Angels: Their Names and Ranks and Heavenly Existence
Angels: Their Origins, Abilities, and Nature
11:
This verse is omitted in the best manuscripts, and it does feel tacked on. But let’s cover some key elements, anyway.
“Son of Man”: it both means the powerful, divine Son of man (Dan. 7:13-14) and the human son of man—Ezekiel himself—in the book of Ezekiel (numerous references). Jesus was and still is in heaven both divine and human. It can rightly be translated as “Son of Humanity.”
4. Titles of Jesus: The Son of Man
“save”:
What Is the Work of Salvation?
It was a big risk to leave behind the ninety-nine sheep in the wilderness or desert to find just one sheep. What if a predator were to attack one of the ninety-nine? This shows the love and concern the shepherd has for one of his lost sheep.
12-13:
“wandered off”: This man wandered off because of stumbling blocks. He is weak, so he may be considered a “little one.” It is a bad idea to put a stumbling block in front of him.
Luke 15:5 says the shepherd placed the sheep on his shoulders, by wrapping the two pairs of legs around either shoulder and holding it by its feet. The Greco-Roman image of the boy carrying the sheep was transformed into the Good Shepherd image (please google it). Wonderful.
Some say this shepherd was irresponsible to leave the ninety-nine and look for the one sheep. But shepherds knew each other and traveled nearby. He probably left the ninety-nine under the eye of another shepherd or an under-shepherd. But this over-literal reading misses the point, anyway.
To be honest, I probably would not have searched for the one lost sheep because I’m not a shepherd, so I can’t relate. Come to think of it, I might have let the one sheep wander off and counted it as a business loss. But not so with Jesus or the Father. They love wandering sheep and want them back.
“rejoices”: The verb means “to be in a state of happiness and well-being, rejoice, be glad (BDAG).
Since I’m not a shepherd, I might have said to him, “congrats!” and then moved on with my life. What’s the big deal about finding one sheep? But this shepherd lived in a community of agrarians who took agricultural matters seriously. More specifically, he lived among other shepherds. He embodied the Father’s love, which searches for the lost.
14:
Shepherds were regarded as low-grade, because they were not educated in the law. However, this man is active in his search. He looks for the sheep. The Father is looking for lost sheep. It is not his will that he would lose even one. Are you one of them?
I like how Blomberg brings in the discussion of wandering off from one’s conversion experience and possible recovery:
The reality of human existence is that greater joy often does follow the recovery of those who had previously caused greater distress. There is enough joy, however, for everybody, and ideally disciples should display a steady constancy in their walk with the Lord, even if it does not elicit as great extremes of emotion. Verse 14 considers the case of the potential apostate but leaves unaddressed questions such as: Can such a person actually be lost for eternity, or is this only temporary loss of fellowship with God? Are these “little ones” simply professing and not genuine followers? The reference to the Father’s will does not solve these problems because although God is not “willing” that any should perish (2 Pet 3:9), some do. (comment on 18:12-14)
I’m not clear about what Prof. Blomberg’s view is on “losing” one’s salvation, but I believe certain converts can wander off. It may not be the Father’s will that someone goes astray, but people have been gifted by God with a significant degree of free will (though how much in precise terms is difficult to measure), but not enough to save oneself. It is is possible for kingdom citizens and the converted to exercise their free will and act like that one sheep.
Possible Apostasy or Eternal Security?
Remaining a Christian or Falling Away?
God will preserve kingdom citizens who want to be preserved. He will put roadblocks in the way of the converted who are tempted to wander away. And when they do, he will woo them back. Always remain in union with Christ. Christ is your eternal security.
GrowApp for Matt. 18:10-14
1. It is not the Father will that one sheep be lost. Were you one of them? How did he find you? Tell your story.
2. Has God put it on your heart to look for a lost sheep, like a family member or friend? How did it work out?
RELATED
9. Authoritative Testimony in Matthew’s Gospel
1. Church Fathers and Matthew’s Gospel
2. Archaeology and the Synoptic Gospels
14. Similarities among John’s Gospel and the Synoptic Gospels
1. The Historical Reliability of the Gospels: Introduction to Series
SOURCES AND MORE
To see the bibliography, please click on this link and scroll down to the bottom. You will also find a “Summary and Conclusion” for discipleship.
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