Devine Scripture

Matthew 18:12

What does Matthew 18:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 18:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 18:12 means

Jesus posed a rhetorical question, inviting the disciples to consider a common scenario: a shepherd with a hundred sheep, one of whom strays. The implied answer is that any diligent shepherd would prioritize the lost sheep. He would leave the ninety-nine in the fold, or in a safe place, and actively go out into the mountains—a dangerous and difficult terrain—to search specifically for the one that has wandered off. This illustrates a profound commitment to each individual sheep, valuing one lost member as much as the collective whole.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

How think ye? if any man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and go unto the mountains, and seek that which goeth astray?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

How think ye? if any man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and go unto the mountains, and seek that which goeth astray?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

What would you say now? if a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone wandering away, will he not let the ninety-nine be, and go to the mountains in search of the wandering one?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`What think ye? if a man may have an hundred sheep, and there may go astray one of them, doth he not--having left the ninety-nine, having gone on the mountains--seek that which is gone astray?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

What think you? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them should go astray: doth he not leave the ninety-nine in the mountains, and goeth to seek that which is gone astray?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

What think ye? If a certain man should have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, does he not, leaving the ninety and nine on the mountains, go and seek the one that has gone astray?

Context

This verse introduces the parable of the lost sheep, directly following the emphasis on not despising the 'little ones' and, in some texts, the statement about the Son of Man coming to save the lost. This parable provides a powerful illustration of God's relentless and compassionate pursuit of each individual who has gone astray, building on the idea that every 'little one' is exceedingly precious to Him.

v.11

v.12This passage

v.13And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth over it more than over the ninety and nine which have not gone astray.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ezekiel 34:16

    I will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but the fat and the strong I will destroy; I will feed them in justice.

  • John 10:11

    I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd layeth down his life for the sheep.

  • Jeremiah 50:6

    My people have been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray; they have turned them away on the mountains; they have gone from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting-place.

  • Luke 15:4

    What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

  • Ezekiel 34:28

    And they shall no more be a prey to the nations, neither shall the beasts of the earth devour them; but they shall dwell securely, and none shall make them afraid.

  • Psalms 119:176

    I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; For I do not forget thy commandments.

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