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.
Parallel translations
- WEB If he finds it, most certainly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray.
- BSB 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.
- NKJV And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.
- NASB And if it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray.
- NLT And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
When the shepherd finds the lost sheep he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine. Heaven delights in the recovery of even one straying believer.
Overview
The shepherd's joy highlights God's tender, particular love for the one who was lost. This rejoicing over recovery echoes the celebration in heaven over a repentant sinner (Luke 15:7). It assures every wavering disciple of God's eagerness to restore rather than discard them.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Luke 15:5–10And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
- Zeph 3:17The 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.
- Ps 147:11The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
- Jas 2:13For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
- John 4:34–36Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
- Mic 7:18Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
- Luke 15:23–24And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
- Isa 62:5For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.
- Isa 53:11He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
- Jer 32:37–41Behold, 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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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 18:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.