Matthew 18:10 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:10

Despising the little ones. We may well assume that our Lord included in his term "little ones," both children and childlike disciples. "Looking to the frequency with which our Lord's words were addressed to the thoughts of his hearers, it seems likely that the faces of some at least of the disciples betrayed, as they looked on the child, some touch of half-contemptuous wonder, that called for this prompt rebuke." Limiting the reference of the expression to the children, we may notice some of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 18:10-14

Warning for the contemptuous. The "little ones" here are childlike followers of Christ (cf. Matthew 18:6 ). Reference to the infants to whom humble Christians are likened is not excluded. The infant seed of the faithful are of the family of Jesus. Neither the disciple nor the infant must be despised. I. THEY ARE THE REVERSE OF DESPICABLE WHO ARE THE SPECIAL CHARGE OF HOLY ANGELS . 1 . The universe is dual, having material and spiritual complements . ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 18:10

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones. ... - That is, one who has become like a little child, or a Christian.For I say unto you ... - Jesus then proceeds to state the reason why we should not despise his feeblest and obscurest follower. That reason is drawn from the care which God exercises over them. The first instance of that care is, that “in heaven their angels do always behold his face.” He does not mean, I suppose, to state that every good man has his guardian angel, as... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 18:10-11

Matthew 18:10-11. See that ye despise not one of these little ones As if they were beneath your notice. Be careful to receive, and not to offend, the very weakest believer in Christ: for, as inconsiderable as some of these may appear to you, the very angels of God have a peculiar charge over them: even those of the highest order, who continually appear at the throne of the Most High. Jerome, and many others of the ancient fathers, considered this as an argument that each pious man has... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 18:1-14

78. Lessons in humility (Matthew 17:22-23; Matthew 18:1-14; Mark 9:30-50; Luke 9:44-50)Despite Jesus’ statement to his disciples that he was heading towards humiliating suffering and death (Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:44-45), they were arguing among themselves about who would have the important places in his kingdom. Jesus rebuked them, explaining that the way to spiritual greatness is through choosing the lowest place and serving others. To enter the kingdom of God, people must... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 18:10

not Greek. me App-105 . their angels. Their servants (Hebrews 1:14 ), The tradition of so-called "guardian" angels has no foundation in this. that which was lost. Compare Matthew 15:24 .Matthew 15:12; Matthew 15:12 How = What. This parable was repeated later, in another connection. See Luke 15:4 , &c. if a man, &c. The condition is not the same as in Matthew 18:8 , but is purely hypothetical = if there should be to any man. doth he not, &c. ? Or, will he not leave the... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 18:10

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.The subject of worldly ambition was still under consideration. Seeking for prominence and chief seats always leads to despising the poor, the lowly, and the humble; but Christ made it emphatically clear that in his kingdom such persons, described as "one of these little ones," are of the most transcending importance, and that the highest... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 18:10-11

Matthew 18:10-11. Take heed that ye despise not, &c.— Because pride, or a high opinion of one's self, with the contempt of others, is often the parent of offences, our Lord solemnly cautioned his disciples against that evil, and shewed them the unreasonableness of it by this delightful argument,—that the meanest Christian is an object of the care of Providence—Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; one who is converted, and becomes as a little child; one of my real... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 18:10

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,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 18:5-14

The seriousness of impeding the progress of a disciple 18:5-14 (cf. Mark 9:37-50; Luke 9:48-50)The major sub-theme of this discourse is offenses (Gr. skandalon, stumbling blocks). The humble disciple will be careful not to put a stumbling block in the path of another disciple as that one proceeds toward the kingdom. read more