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Matthew 18:12-14 Sheep astray on a mountain of definitions
1. Matthew 18:1 Greatest and least in the kingdom
Matthew 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? [kjv]
εν εκεινη τη ωρα προσηλθον οι μαθηται τω ιησου λεγοντες τις αρα μειζων εστιν εν τη βασιλεια των ουρανων [gnt]
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Who is "greatest"?
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Who is "least"?
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Since chapter 17 is concerned with
"greatness" and chapter 18 starts with the question to Jesus of who is
"greatest", the question might have been motivated by chapter 17 and then that idea follows through with everything Jesus says in finishing this discourse in chapter 18.
In modern times, the "
great" are ofter called the "
elite".
2. Matthew 18:12-14 Sheep astray on a mountain of definitions
Matthew 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? [kjv]
18:13 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. [kjv]
Why did the chicken cross the road?
To get to the other side. And many other answers.
Why did the one sheep go "astray"?
Why is there such "joy" for that one "sheep" "more" than the others?
Why did the sheep go onto the mountain?
To be "great". This is the theme of the entire discourse.
3. Matthew 18:1 Think about it
Remember that this entire discourse of Matthew 18 started with who is
"greatest".
Matthew 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? [kjv]
εν εκεινη τη ωρα προσηλθον οι μαθηται τω ιησου λεγοντες τις αρα μειζων εστιν εν τη βασιλεια των ουρανων [gnt]
Would a "
sheep" become a "
bird" or "
eye" or "
leader" by
deception to become
"greatest" to
"entrap" or attract "
fish" or "
feet" or "
many" with their "
opinion" or "
candle" to a "
city" (that cannot be "
hid") on a "
mountain" ?
To get started, one needs to create the
deceptions or
"entrapments" as
opinions or "
candles" or "
definition". The Greek word for "
definition" and "
mountain" is the same word.
What do you
think? What is your
opinion? Would an
opinion by Jesus carry any weight?
The word for "
think" is that of "
opinion" and is a play on words with the "
beam" as an "
expectation" in Matthew 7.
4. Matthew 18:12 On the mountains
Matthew 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? [kjv]
τι υμιν δοκει εαν γενηται τινι ανθρωπω εκατον προβατα και πλανηθη εν εξ αυτων ουχι αφησει τα ενενηκοντα εννεα επι τα ορη και πορευθεις ζητει το πλανωμενον [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"πρόβατα" ≈ "sheep" and comes from the literal words "
before" and "
walk". Sheep have a tendency to "
walk before" or "
wander away". Jesus wants "
believers" to "
walk" "
before" with "
good works". In that sense, the Greek word for
"sheep" is a fitting linguistic analogy.
The "man" does not just "have" the "sheep". The "sheep" "come into being".
The "man" does not "leave" them. They are "forgiven". Same Greek word.
The word for "goeth" is the same word used in the Great Commission.
Why did the "one" "sheep" go "on" or "onto" the "mountains"?
Who might this "one" "sheep" be?
Why might it be important that it is the first "one" of the "hundred" to do so?
What are some of the traditional explanations to these questions?
5. Planets as wandering stars
Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. [kjv]
πολλοι γαρ ελευσονται επι τω ονοματι μου λεγοντες εγω ειμι ο χριστος και πολλους πλανησουσιν [gnt]
How does a "
sheep" know if it has gone or is going "
astray"?
The ancient Greek word
"πλάνη" ≈ "wandering, roaming" and, figuratively,
"going astray" or
"in error". as in wandering off-target. The English word
"planet" comes from this Greek word as a shortened form of
"wandering star" since planets were considered wandering stars. The modern Greek word
"πλανήτης" (pla-NEE-tees) ≈ "planet".
Discuss: Consider the billions of people throughout the ages. Are the "
many" a few insurrectionists from the first century or so who led a few thousand followers?
6. Matthew 18:12 Sheep and mountains
Matthew 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? [kjv]
τι υμιν δοκει εαν γενηται τινι ανθρωπω εκατον προβατα και πλανηθη εν εξ αυτων ουχι αφησει τα ενενηκοντα εννεα επι τα ορη και πορευθεις ζητει το πλανωμενον [gnt]
100=99+1
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The Greek says "
man" and not "
shepherd". In the parables, Jesus uses (and then explains) the code word "
man" to refer to "
Jesus as God".
The Greek says
"on/onto" the
"mountains".
Why is the "
hundred" important? Might it somehow relate to the Roman "
centurions"?
Are the
99 in danger when the "
man" "
leaves"? The Greek for "
leave" is that of "
let go" or "
forgive".
How does Jesus reinforces the "
ninety and nine" to
avoid the "
one cookie rule"?
7. Matthew 6:12 Forgiving debts
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [kjv]
και αφες ημιν τα οφειληματα ημων ως και ημεις αφηκαμεν τοις οφειλεταις ημων [gnt]
… dimitte … debita … dimisimus debitoribus … [v]
The Greek for "
forgive" as that of "
letting go" where there is the idea of separation. The ancient Greek word
"ἀφίημι" ≈ "send away, let pass".
The Greek for "
debts" has to do with an obligation to someone, such as "
owing" money. It could be any obligation. Luke uses the word Greek word for "
sins" whereas Matthew uses the word for "
debts".
8. Matthew 18:5,12 On the mountains of definitions
Matthew 18:5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. [kjv]
και ος εαν δεξηται εν παιδιον τοιουτο επι τω ονοματι μου εμε δεχεται [gnt]
18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? [kjv]
τι υμιν δοκει εαν γενηται τινι ανθρωπω εκατον προβατα και πλανηθη εν εξ αυτων ουχι αφησει τα ενενηκοντα εννεα επι τα ορη και πορευθεις ζητει το πλανωμενον [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"επι" ≈ "on" as in the first part of the English word
"epicenter" as
"on" the "
center".
In Matthew 18:5, the KJV (King James Version) translates as "in" my "name" the Greek that is "on" the "name" of mine.
In Matthew 18:12, the KJV translates as "into" the mountains the Greek that that is "on" the mountains.
9. Matthew 18:5,12 Accept a one go astray
Matthew 18:5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. [kjv]
και ος εαν δεξηται εν παιδιον τοιουτο επι τω ονοματι μου εμε δεχεται [gnt]
18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? [kjv]
τι υμιν δοκει εαν γενηται τινι ανθρωπω εκατον προβατα και πλανηθη εν εξ αυτων ουχι αφησει τα ενενηκοντα εννεα επι τα ορη και πορευθεις ζητει το πλανωμενον [gnt]
Changing the translation of both words tends to obscure the connection. Here are two choices using the Greek word for
"on".
☐
"accept" or
"believe" "on" my "
name".
☐ go
"astray" "on" the
"mountains" or
"definitions".
10. Matthew 18:12 Mountain and mountains
Matthew 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? [kjv]
τι υμιν δοκει εαν γενηται τινι ανθρωπω εκατον προβατα και πλανηθη εν εξ αυτων ουχι αφησει τα ενενηκοντα εννεα επι τα ορη και πορευθεις ζητει το πλανωμενον [gnt]
A
"sheep" can only be
"on" one "
mountain". The "
man" goes
"on" the
"mountains" (plural).
Which is harder?
Getting someone off of a physical "mountain".
Getting someone off of an abstract "definition" or "definitions".
Why might Jesus have used the
plural rather than singular?
11. Matthew 18:12 Sheep and mountains
Matthew 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? [kjv]
τι υμιν δοκει εαν γενηται τινι ανθρωπω εκατον προβατα και πλανηθη εν εξ αυτων ουχι αφησει τα ενενηκοντα εννεα επι τα ορη και πορευθεις ζητει το πλανωμενον [gnt]
The
KJV translates as "
leave" the Greek word that is usually translated as "
forgive".
If the "man", "Jesus as God" "forgives" the "sheep" or "little ones" that stay, do they lose their "forgiveness" when he goes after the "one" "sheep"? That "one" could be "you"!
Can a
"sheep" or
"little one" or
"you" separate from the "
forgiveness of Christ" by
"wandering" away? Are the other sheep "
saved", "
safe", "
forgiven"?
12. Review of separation from love of Christ
Romans 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [kjv]
8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. [kjv]
Some pastors will make the bold claim that "
Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ". From the Greek text, the only
"other (different)" "creature" that can separate "
you" from the "
love of Christ" is "
you". So, Paul's list omits "
false teaching", "
deception", and other things that he covers in following chapters.
Discussion: What might be an
ulterior motive as to why a pastor would make such a claim that does not fit the text?
13. Separation build
Here is a build summary of the steps.
14. Usage - forgive
*G863 *142 ἀφίημι (af-ee'-ay-mee) : from G575 and hiemi (to send; an intensive form of eimi, to go); to send forth, in various applications (as follow):--cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up.
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Words: αφεθη=3 αφεθησαν αφεθησεται=12 αφειναι=2 αφεις=7 αφεντες=15 αφες=15 αφετε=10 αφεωνται=6 αφη=3 αφηκα αφηκαμεν=3 αφηκαν=2 αφηκατε αφηκεν=19 αφηκες αφησει=2 αφησεις αφησουσιν αφησω=2 αφητε=5 αφιεναι=5 αφιενται=4 αφιεται=5 αφιετε=3 αφιετω=2 αφιημι=2 αφιησιν=4 αφιομεν αφιουσιν αφωμεν ηφιεν=2
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The ancient Greek word
"ἀφίημι" ≈ "send away, let pass" as in "
forgive". The exact form of the Greek word «
αφησει» is used three times in the
GNT (Greek New Testament), all by Jesus, in the sheep gone astray verse and the following verse pair. Note: The chart does not show the Greek manuscript using the word the third time [programming issue to be resolved].
15. Matthew 6:14-15 Going astray in pursuit
Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: [kjv]
εαν γαρ αφητε τοις ανθρωποις τα παραπτωματα αυτων αφησει και υμιν ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος [gnt]
6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. [kjv]
εαν δε μη αφητε τοις ανθρωποις τα παραπτωματα αυτων ουδε ο πατηρ υμων αφησει τα παραπτωματα υμων [gnt]
The word often translated as
"trespass" is the ancient Greek word
"παράπτωσις" ≈ "impetuous pursuit, going astray". The parts of the word mean, literally, going
"beyond falling" as in "
fault" of imperfection.
The ancient Greek word "παρά" ≈ "beyond" and, in this case, "excessive".
The ancient Greek word "πτῶσις" ≈ "falling, failing". In the Beatitudes, the Greek word is used to describe those who are "poor" "beggars" in "spirit" and need the "good news".
A general English phrase for this might be
"stupid things" that are done (by you or others).
16. Forgive build
1 Debts
2 Trespass - reconcile
3 Trespass - forgive
4 Trespass - forgive 1
5 Things - forgive
17. Matthew 18:12 Sheep
Matthew 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? [kjv]
τι υμιν δοκει εαν γενηται τινι ανθρωπω εκατον προβατα και πλανηθη εν εξ αυτων ουχι αφησει τα ενενηκοντα εννεα επι τα ορη και πορευθεις ζητει το πλανωμενον [gnt]
The
GNT has
"επί" ≈ "on" the
"mountains" or
"definitions". The word
"εις" ≈ "into" is
not used here.
Why does the "
man" need to go
"on" the
"mountains" to "
seek" and "
find" the "
sheep"? This is in contrast to
"into" the
"mountains".
How many sheep did the engineer have?
The engineer started with 99 sheep but when he rounded them up, it was 100. [counting sheep]
18. Matthew 18:12 Sheep and mountains
Matthew 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? [kjv]
τι υμιν δοκει εαν γενηται τινι ανθρωπω εκατον προβατα και πλανηθη εν εξ αυτων ουχι αφησει τα ενενηκοντα εννεα επι τα ορη και πορευθεις ζητει το πλανωμενον [gnt]
One "sheep" wanders away. Does it want to become a "bird" and attract other "fish" as "sheep" or "pigs"?
Does the "sheep" that strays need to go "on" the "mountains"?
What might a "mountain" represent?
Are the numbers "100" and "99" and "1" important in any way?
19. Matthew 18:12 Sheep and mountains
Matthew 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? [kjv]
τι υμιν δοκει εαν γενηται τινι ανθρωπω εκατον προβατα και πλανηθη εν εξ αυτων ουχι αφησει τα ενενηκοντα εννεα επι τα ορη και πορευθεις ζητει το πλανωμενον [gnt]
Are the numbers "100" and "99" and "1" important in any way?
Does it make a difference if the "sheep" are split, say, "80" and "20"?
Do the (multiple) "sheep" that stray need to go "on" the "mountains"?
The next verses (omitted) address church conflict resolution.
Those verses are written as "many" and "1".
Does it make a difference if the "church" is split, say, "60" and "40"?
20. Matthew 18:12 Sheep
Matthew 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? [kjv]
τι υμιν δοκει εαν γενηται τινι ανθρωπω εκατον προβατα και πλανηθη εν εξ αυτων ουχι αφησει τα ενενηκοντα εννεα επι τα ορη και πορευθεις ζητει το πλανωμενον [gnt]
Question: If "
you are the light of the world" and "
a city on a mountain cannot be hid" then if a "
city on a mountain" is
good, what is the problem with a "
sheep" deciding to go "
on" the
"mountains" to, perhaps, be in a "
city" that can display
false "
light" to the "
world"?
21. Matthew 18:12
KJV: How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
Greek: τι υμιν δοκει εαν γενηται τινι ανθρωπω εκατον προβατα και πλανηθη εν εξ αυτων ουχι αφεις αφησει τα εννενηκονταεννεα ενενηκοντα εννεα επι τα ορη και πορευθεις ζητει το πλανωμενον
22. Matthew 18:13
KJV: 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.
Greek: και εαν γενηται ευρειν αυτο αμην λεγω υμιν οτι χαιρει επ αυτω μαλλον η επι τοις εννενηκονταεννεα ενενηκοντα εννεα τοις μη πεπλανημενοις
23. Matthew 18:14
KJV: Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Greek: ουτως ουκ εστιν θελημα εμπροσθεν του πατρος υμων μου του εν ουρανοις ινα αποληται εις εν των μικρων τουτων
24. Matthew 18:13 Rather more
Matthew 18:13 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. [kjv]
και εαν γενηται ευρειν αυτο αμην λεγω υμιν οτι χαιρει επ αυτω μαλλον η επι τοις ενενηκοντα εννεα τοις μη πεπλανημενοις [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"μᾶλλον" ≈ "rather" as in
"rather than". In a comparison, in context, it could be
"rather more". The modern Greek word
"μάλλον" (MAL-lon) ≈ "rather, more precisely".
That is, there is no need to
"rejoice" over
sheep who have not left and had no need to return.
"Rather", the rejoicing is over the
sheep that left and then returned. In that
restrictive sense it is
"more".
To emphasize or over-emphasize the
"more" is common in
ARMS (Attractive Refrigerator Magnet Sermons).
25. Matthew 18:3,12-13,19 Come into being
Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. [kjv]
18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? [kjv]
18:13 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. [kjv]
18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. [kjv]
The
"sheep" had
"come into being". The
"one" that was lost
"came into being" again. This is the word used in John as
"born" "
again" or
"born" "
from above".
26. Matthew 18:13 Rejoice
Matthew 18:13 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. [kjv]
και εαν γενηται ευρειν αυτο αμην λεγω υμιν οτι χαιρει επ αυτω μαλλον η επι τοις ενενηκοντα εννεα τοις μη πεπλανημενοις [gnt]
The word
"sheep" is added in the
KJV since the
one that went
"astray" is, by analogy, a
"sheep" but, in reality, a
"little one" as a "
believer".
There is "
rejoicing" and "
greetings" if the "
sheep" comes down off its
perch and returns to the flock.
What if the
"little ones" that are "
forgiven" decide to "
leave" and
separate themselves to follow the
one "sheep" that has gone
"astray"?
What if they go "
onto" the
"mountain" or "
definition" as the "
many" in a "
city" that
cannot be "
hid"?
27. Matthew 18:14 Before the Father
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. [kjv]
ουτως ουκ εστιν θελημα εμπροσθεν του πατρος μου του εν ουρανοις ινα αποληται εν των μικρων τουτων [gnt]
The
KJV translates as
"of" the Greek word that means
"before" or
"in front of". The ancient Greek word
"ἔμπροσθεν" ≈ "before, in front" and, in the case of time,
"earlier"
From Matthew 5:16, one is to let the light of Jesus shine (as good works)
before men (but not so that they see you).
28. Matthew 5:16 Positive advice
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. [kjv]
ουτως λαμψατω το φως υμων εμπροσθεν των ανθρωπων οπως ιδωσιν υμων τα καλα εργα και δοξασωσιν τον πατερα υμων τον εν τοις ουρανοις [gnt]
Who is your light?
If Jesus is your
"light", do you need to
"light" a "
candle" or "
opinion"?
The ancient Greek word
"ἔμπροσθεν" ≈ "before, in front" and, in the case of time,
"earlier"
Put your good works "before" or "in front of" others without letting them know who did it. (Like the original Santa Claus).
The "house" of Jesus, built on the "rock" uses the true "light" of Jesus. No man-made "light" is needed.
The "house" of men, built on the "sand" as a "mountain" or "tree" uses the false "light" of man.
Jesus is also your "
head".
29. Matthew 18:14 One of the little ones
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. [kjv]
ουτως ουκ εστιν θελημα εμπροσθεν του πατρος μου του εν ουρανοις ινα αποληται εν των μικρων τουτων [gnt]
Jesus uses the words such as
"little ones" to refer to believers of all ages.
How might the
"little ones" "
perish"?
The "one" of the "little ones" or "sheep" includes and may be you!
To be
"greater" one needs to be a "
leader" and attract "
followers" to "
influence" other "
sheep", "
fish", etc.
30. Matthew 18:14 What might happen
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. [kjv]
ουτως ουκ εστιν θελημα εμπροσθεν του πατρος μου του εν ουρανοις ινα αποληται εν των μικρων τουτων [gnt]
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The "bird" attracts "fish" and "sheep".
Those remaining "sheep" or "little ones" might glue themselves to the "birds" and be "lost" having separated themselves.
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 |
Some "fish" and/or "sheep" are promoted to "pigs" to influence others as leaders.
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31. Attracting sheep and fish
Obviously, seeing
"one" "sheep" going "
onto" a
"mountain" or
"definition" to be
"great" and needing to attract others to be "
great" is a concern. What should one do about this?
The idea of "
joined" together as in "
glued" together will be the topic of the next discourse at the start of the next chapter,
22 verses later.
But what if the
"sheep" that has become a
"bird" and attracted others leave
"you" the
"one" alone?
How does the group decide which "
one" is
right and which "
one" is
wrong? Check the next verses on conflict resolution to resolve both scenarios.
32. Matthew 18:12-14 Review
33. End of page
Matthew 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? [kjv]
18:13 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. [kjv]
18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. [kjv]
