Matthew 18:13 Meaning and Explanation
“And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The shepherd rejoices over the recovered sheep more than over those that never strayed.
What Does Matthew 18:13 Mean?
Jesus completes the picture. When the shepherd finds the wandering sheep, his joy over it rises above his joy in the ninety-nine that never left. The found one becomes, for that moment, the cause of deepest gladness.
This is not because the others matter less, but because recovery awakens a special joy. Heaven feels this way about the return of one who was lost. The Father's heart leans toward the wanderer being brought home, and Christ embodies that joy in His mission. Every restored soul is met not with grudging acceptance but with rejoicing.
Matthew 18:13 in the Original Language
chairo (χαίρω), 'rejoiceth' -- to be glad, to feel and show joy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 18:13
What does Matthew 18:13 mean?
The shepherd rejoices over the recovered sheep more than over those that never strayed.