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.
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.
- KJV 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.
- 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.
- ESV And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went 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.
- 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 quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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 15:5–10When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
- Zeph 3:17Yahweh, your God, is among you, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with joy. He will calm you in his love. He will rejoice over you with singing.
- Ps 147:11Yahweh takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his loving kindness.
- Jas 2:13For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
- John 4:34–36Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work.
- Mic 7:18Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He doesn’t retain his anger forever, because he delights in loving kindness.
- Luke 15:23–24Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat, and celebrate;
- Isa 62:5For as a young man marries a virgin, so your sons will marry you. As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.
- Isa 53:11After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light and be satisfied. My righteous servant will justify many by the knowledge of himself; and he will bear their iniquities.
- Jer 32:37–41“Behold, I will gather them out of all the countries, where I have driven them in my anger, and in my wrath, and in great indignation; and I will bring them again to this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely:
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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.