Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one 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.
- 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.
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 in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
- 2 Pet 3:9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
- John 6:39–40And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
- Isa 40:11He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
- John 10:27–30My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
- Zech 13:7Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.
- John 21:15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
- Luke 12:32Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
- Matt 6:9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
- Matt 5:16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
- Matt 6:32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
- 2 Tim 2:10Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
- 1 Cor 8:11–13And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
- Rom 8:28–39And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
- Heb 12:13And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
- 1 Pet 1:3–5Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
- Eph 1:5–7Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, 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.