Matthew 18:13

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 .

Matthew 18:13 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 18:13

And if so be that he find it
Which is a casual and uncertain thing with the shepherd, but not so with Christ, who certainly finds all those he goes after, and seeks: for,

verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep;
at the finding of it, whose loss greatly affected him,

than of the ninety and nine which went not astray;
who seemed not to go astray, were outwardly righteous before men, and, in their own opinion, being the same with the ninety and nine just persons who needed no repentance in their own apprehension, ( Luke 15:7 ) . This same parable is related in ( Luke 15:3 Luke 15:4 Luke 15:5 Luke 15:6 ) , and it being there more largely expressed, and along with other parables of the same kind, I shall refer the more particular consideration of it to that place; only observe, that it seems to me that this parable was twice delivered by our Lord, and that on two different occasions; once, as here, in his discourse on offences, and upon mention of his coming into this world to save lost sinners; at another time, as there, upon the Pharisees murmuring at his receiving sinners, and eating with them.

Matthew 18:13 In-Context

11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost .

12 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 ?

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 .

14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish .

15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.