Matthew 18:12 meaning
In the discourse on humility and care for fellow believers, Jesus employs a powerful metaphor to illustrate God's relentless love for the lost. He compares His followers to a flock of sheep, emphasizing that if a single sheep goes astray, the shepherd actively seeks it out with great care and joy upon its return. This picture not only showcases the value God places on each individual believer but also serves as a reminder of the responsibility His followers have towards one another. When someone strays from the faith, it is not merely a loss for the individual but a significant concern for the entire community.
The metaphor can be found in the verse, where the shepherd's actions reflect God's pastoral heart. This text emphasizes that God is deeply invested in the restoration of every believer, illustrating that both God's concern and the joy of heaven is magnified when one who was lost returns. In essence, it challenges disciples not to overlook their duty in caring for each other, warning against the actions that might lead someone to stray from the faith, as these can hold grave consequences.
This quick synopsis was AI autogenerated utilizing existing TheBibleSays commentaries as the primary source material. To read a related commentary that has been fully developed, see the list below. If there is an issue with this summary please let us know by emailing:[email protected]
Deeper Commentary Covering this Verse:
- Matthew 18:11-14 meaning. In the context of showing how much these little ones mean to Jesus and His Father, Jesus shares that the very reason He came as the Messiah was to save them. He then tells His disciples the parable of the lost sheep as a depiction of His deep concern for these little ones.
Other Relevant Commentaries:
- Matthew 18:21-22 meaning. Peter asks Jesus where he should set the limits of his mercy toward his brother and suggested that he should forgive him up to seven times. Jesus said no, do not put limits on your forgiveness, and told Peter to forgive his brother as many times as needed without any limitation whatsoever.
- Malachi 3:1-6 meaning. Malachi tells the post-exilic Judeans that they weary the LORD by saying they are seeking justice while doing evil. God says He will send His messenger, the Messiah (Anointed One), to be like a refiner’s fire and purify His people. He will cleanse the priests as well as the nation. In the meanwhile, He exhorts them to repent and return to Him.
- John 18:28-32 meaning. The Priests bring and accuse Jesus to Pilate: Not permitted by Roman law to execute Jesus themselves, the Jews bring Jesus to the Roman governor Pilate early in the morning for His Roman (or Civil) Trial. Pilate begins the proceedings asking them what accusation they bring against the Man. When they have none, Pilate appears to dismiss the case and tells them to judge Him according to their own customs. They complain they are unable to judge Him because Rome won’t permit them to put Him to death. This fulfills Jesus’s prophecies predicting He would be crucified. This event is part of the first phase of Jesus’s Civil Trial. It is known as Jesus’s Arraignment before Pilate.