Commentaries:
To demonstrate further the reason why we should not despise weaker Christians, Jesus illustrates the joy one feels when a lost possession is found. A shepherd rejoices over the recovery of one of his flock that had wandered away more than over all that stayed with him. Similarly, God rejoices when a person who has gone astray from His truth turns back to His way of life. In like manner, we rejoice most in our health when we recover from a serious disease. We rejoice more over a child rescued from danger than over those who were never at risk. We rejoice more when property is saved from fire or flood than when all was well and we took it for granted.
Martin G. Collins
Parables of the Millstone and the Lost Sheep
Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing Matthew 18:12:
Matthew 18:1
Luke 15:3-7
1 Peter 5:1-3