Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Parallel translations
- KJV Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
- BSB In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
- ESV So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
- NKJV Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
- NASB So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven for one of these little ones to perish.
- NLT In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.
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.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- John 17:12While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. Those whom you have given me I have kept. None of them is lost, except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
- 2 Pet 3:9The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
- John 6:39–40This is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day.
- Isa 40:11He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young.
- John 10:27–30My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
- Zech 13:7“Awake, sword, against my shepherd, and against the man who is close to me,” says Yahweh of Armies. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; and I will turn my hand against the little ones.
- John 21:15So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.”
- Luke 12:32Don’t be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.
- Matt 6:9Pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
- Matt 5:16Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
- Matt 6:32For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
- 2 Tim 2:10Therefore I endure all things for the chosen ones’ sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
- 1 Cor 8:11–13And through your knowledge, he who is weak perishes, the brother for whose sake Christ died.
- Rom 8:28–39We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.
- Heb 12:13and make straight paths for your feet, so that which is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
- 1 Pet 1:3–5Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
- Eph 1:5–7having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 18:14 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.