Matthew 18:10
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 18:10 in other translations
| BSB | See that you do not look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven. |
|---|---|
| WEB | See that you don’t despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. |
| ASV | See that ye despise not one of these little ones: for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. |
| YLT | ‘Beware! --ye may not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you, that their messengers in the heavens do always behold the face of my Father who is in the heavens, |
| DARBY | See that ye do not despise one of these little ones; for I say unto you that their angels in the heavens continually behold the face of my Father who is in the heavens. |
| BBE | Let it not seem to you that one of these little ones is of no value; for I say to you that in heaven their angels see at all times the face of my Father in heaven. |
| Webster | Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones: for I say to you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven. |
What does Matthew 18:10 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Mt 18:1-9. Strife among the Twelve Who Should Be Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, with Relative Teaching. ( = Mr 9:33-50; Lu 9:46-50).
For the exposition, see on Mr 9:33-50.Mt 18:10-35. Further Teaching on the Same Subject, Including the Parable of the Unmerciful Debtor.
Same Subject (Mt 18:10-20). 10. Take heed that ye despise--stumble. not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven--A difficult verse; but perhaps the following may be more than an illustration:--Among men, those who nurse and rear the royal children, however humble in themselves, are allowed free entrance with their charge, and a degree of familiarity which even the highest state ministers dare not assume. Probably our Lord means that, in virtue of their charge over His disciples (He 1:13; Joh 1:51), the angels have errands to the throne, a welcome there, and a dear familiarity in dealing with "His Father which is in heaven," which on their own matters they could not assume.Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
Do always behold the face of my Father, etc. This is taken from the practice of earthly courts. To be admitted to the presence of a king; to be permitted to see his face continually; to have free access at all times, was deemed a mark of peculiar favour, 1Kgs 10:8, Est 1:14 and was esteemed a security for his protection. So, says our Saviour, we should not despise the obscurest Christians, for they are ministered to by the highest and noblest of beings; beings who are always enjoying the favour and friendship of God.
(f) "angels do always" Acts 12:15 (g) "behold" Ps 17:15
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 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 examples, let us stand on our guard. We must, as far as lawfully we may, part with…
Matthew 18:10 in the original Greek
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Matthew 18:10
- Psalms 91:11
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
- Psalms 34:7
The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
- Hebrews 1:14
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
- Luke 16:22
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
- Acts 12:7-11
And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. …
- 2 Kings 6:16-17
And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
- Matthew 18:6
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
- Matthew 18:14
Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
- Matthew 1:20
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
- Genesis 32:1-2
And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.
- Matthew 24:31
And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
- Matthew 2:13
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
6,14; 12:20; Ps 15:4; Zec 4:10; Lu 10:16; Ro 14:1-3,10,13-15,21
Ro 15:1; 1Co 8:8-13; 9:22; 11:22; 16:11; 2Co 10:1,10; Ga 4:13,14; 6:1
1Th 4:8; 1Ti 4:12
their.
1:20; 2:13,19; 24:31; Ge 32:1,2; 2Ki 6:16,17; Ps 34:7; 91:11
Zec 13:7; Lu 16:22; Ac 5:19; 10:3; 12:7-11,23; 27:23; Heb 1:14
behold.
2Sa 14:28; 1Ki 22:19; Es 1:14; Ps 17:15; Lu 1:19
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Matthew 18:9
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
- Matthew 18:10
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
- Matthew 18:11
For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
Matthew 18:10 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Mirad no tengáis en poco á alguno de estos pequeños; porque os digo que sus ángeles en los cielos ven siempre la faz de mi Padre que está en los cielos. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Prenez garde de ne pas mépriser un de ces petits; car je vous dis que, dans les cieux, leurs anges voient continuellement la face de mon Père qui est dans les cieux. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Sehet zu, daß ihr nicht eines dieser Kleinen verachtet; denn ich sage euch, daß ihre Engel in den Himmeln allezeit das Angesicht meines Vaters schauen, der in den Himmeln ist. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Videte ne contemnatis unum ex his pusillis: dico enim vobis, quia angeli eorum in cælis semper vident faciem Patris mei, qui in cælis est. |