So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus isn't just saying God wants everyone saved; he's emphasizing that His will is the exact opposite of any one of these vulnerable followers perishing. This highlights that if someone does fall away, it's not because God desired it, but because that person chose darkness over the light He offers.
So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is explaining how to treat those who are vulnerable or have stumbled in faith, contrasting it with the judgmental attitude of some religious leaders. He emphasizes the immense value God places on even the weakest believer, illustrated by the shepherd’s joy in finding a lost sheep. Therefore, it's against God's very nature for these "little ones" to be lost, underscoring the importance of cherishing and restoring them.
Imagine losing something precious, something small and vulnerable. What would you do to get it back? Jesus uses a powerful image here to reveal God's heart.
Jesus tells a parable where a shepherd leaves ninety-nine sheep to search for just one that's gone astray. This isn't just about sheep; it's about God's passionate pursuit of every single person.
Jesus calls them 'little ones.' Who exactly does he mean? Understanding this helps us grasp the depth of God's care.
In this context, 'little ones' doesn't just refer to children in age. It speaks to those who are:
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This understanding is crucial because it broadens God's concern to include everyone, especially those who might feel insignificant.
Is God really okay with people being lost forever? Jesus is crystal clear about the Father's ultimate desire.
This verse confronts any idea that God is indifferent to human destiny or that He actively desires destruction for anyone.
Understand the original words
thelēma · Greek Noun
The sovereign desire, purpose, or determination of God regarding the salvation, conduct, or ultimate destiny of His people.
mikros · Greek Adjective/Noun
A term used to describe those who are humble, lowly, or spiritually vulnerable; it often refers to believers who are considered insignificant by the world but are precious in God's sight.
apollymi · Greek Verb
The state of eternal ruin, separation from God, or spiritual destruction, which is the opposite of receiving eternal life in Christ.
This passage describes the parable of the lost sheep, directly paralleling Jesus's point here about the Father's concern for the lost. It highlights the immense value God places on one who strays and then returns.
1 Timothy 2:4This verse states that God 'desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth,' which perfectly echoes the sentiment that it is not His will for any to perish.
Ezekiel 18:23The prophet asks, 'Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his ways and live?' This rhetorical question strongly supports the idea that God's heart is for salvation, not destruction.
John 6:39Jesus declares, 'And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.' This directly connects the Father's will to the preservation and ultimate resurrection of those given to the Son, including the 'little ones'.
2 Peter 3:9The Apostle Peter explains that the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise, 'but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.' This reinforces the divine desire for salvation and the patience involved in seeking it.
calvinMatthew 18:11-14: "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost."
- For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12. What think you? If a man shall have a hundred sheep, and one of them shall go astray, doth he not leave the ninety-nine, and go to the mountains, and seek that which had gone astray? 13. And if he happen to find it, verily, I say to you, he rejoiceth more on account of that sheep than on account of the ninety-nine which had gone astray. 14. So it is not the…
henryMatthew 18:7-14: "Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!"
18:7-14 Considering the cunning and malice of Satan, and the weakness and depravity of men's hearts, it is not possible but that there should be offences. God permits them for wise and holy ends, that those who are sincere, and those who are not, may be made known. Being told before, that there will be seducers, tempters, persecutors, and bad exampl…
Jesus isn't just saying God wants everyone saved; he's emphasizing that His will is the exact opposite of any one of these vulnerable followers perishing. This highlights that if someone does fall away, it's not because God desired it, but because that person chose darkness over the light He offers.
Jesus is explaining how to treat those who are vulnerable or have stumbled in faith, contrasting it with the judgmental attitude of some religious leaders. He emphasizes the immense value God places on even the weakest believer, illustrated by the shepherd’s joy in finding a lost sheep. Therefore, it's against God's very nature for these "little ones" to be lost, underscoring the importance of cherishing and restoring them.
Jesus is explaining how to treat those who are vulnerable or have stumbled in faith, contrasting it with the judgmental attitude of some religious leaders. He emphasizes the immense value God places on even the weakest believer, illustrated by the shepherd’s joy in finding a lost sheep. Therefore, it's against God's very nature for these "little ones" to be lost, underscoring the importance of cherishing and restoring them.
"So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish." — Jesus isn't just saying God wants everyone saved; he's emphasizing that His will is the exact opposite of any one of these vulnerable followers perishing. This highlights that if someone does fal…
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Last reviewed October 2026