In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
Parallel translations
- WEB Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
- KJV Even so it is not the will of your Father which 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 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
Jesus concludes that it is not the Father's will that any of these little ones perish. God's saving care extends protectively to the humblest believer.
Overview
The parable's lesson is the Father's heart: he does not desire the loss of even one of his lowly children. This grounds the whole passage's call to value and seek the weak. It reflects the gospel assurance that God preserves those who are his and welcomes back the strayed.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- John 17:12While I was with them, I protected and preserved them by Your name, the name You gave Me. Not one of them has been lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.
- 2 Pet 3:9The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
- John 6:39–40And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day.
- Isa 40:11He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.
- John 10:27–30My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.
- Zech 13:7Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, against the man who is My Companion, declares the LORD of Hosts. Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones.
- John 21:15When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.”
- Luke 12:32Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.
- Matt 6:9So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
- Matt 5:16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
- Matt 6:32For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
- 2 Tim 2:10For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
- 1 Cor 8:11–13So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge.
- Rom 8:28–39And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
- Heb 12:13Make straight paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
- 1 Pet 1:3–5Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
- Eph 1:5–7He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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.