Matthew 18:11

11 Some manuscripts include verse 11: For the Son of Man came to save the lost.

Matthew 18:11 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 18:11

For the Son of man is come to seek that which was lost.
] This is another, and stronger reason, why these little ones should not be despised; because Christ, who is here meant by the Son of man, came into this world to save these persons; who were lost in Adam, and had destroyed themselves by their transgressions, and carries great force in it: for if God had so great a regard to these little ones, as to send his Son to obtain eternal salvation for them, when they were in a miserable and perishing condition; and Christ had so much love for them, as to come into this world, and endure the sorrows, sufferings, and death itself for them, who were not only little, but lost; and that to obtain righteousness and life for them, and save them with an everlasting salvation; then they must, and ought to be, far above the contempt of all mortals; and the utmost care should be taken not to despise, grieve, offend, and injure them in any form or shape whatever; see ( Romans 14:15 ) ( 1 Corinthians 8:11 ) . Beza observes, that this whole verse is left out in some Greek copies, but it stands in others, and in all the Oriental versions, and in Munster's Hebrew Gospel; nor can it be omitted; the following parable, which is an exemplification of it, requires it.

Matthew 18:11 In-Context

9 And if your eye is a snare for you, gouge it out and fling it away! Better that you should be oneeyed and obtain eternal life than keep both eyes and be thrown into the fire of Gei Hinnom.
10 See that you never despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven are continually seeing the face of my Father in heaven.
11 Some manuscripts include verse 11: For the Son of Man came to save the lost.
12 "What's your opinion? What will somebody do who has a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away? Won't he leave the ninety-nine on the hillsides and go off to find the stray?
13 And if he happens to find it? Yes! I tell you he is happier over it than over the ninety-nine that never strayed!
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.