Matthew 18:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Who possessed a hundred sheep? It was Christ. All rational beings, both angels and humans, represent these one hundred sheep, with Christ serving as their shepherd. Unlike the sheep, He is not a created being but the Son of God. Therefore, He set aside ninety-nine of His flock in heaven, assumed the role of a servant, and ventured to search for one lost sheep, symbolizing human nature.

It is entirely fitting that He, who previously remarked, ‘Take heed lest one of these little ones be despised,’ links the story of the ninety-nine sheep left in the mountains to the one sheep that has wandered away. The good shepherd seeks to restore this sheep to the flock because it cannot move due to profound weakness. Some interpret the shepherd as the one who, despite being in the form of God, did not consider it theft to equate Himself with God but chose to humble Himself by assuming the nature of a servant and obeying the Father even unto death, including the death on the cross, as stated in Philippians 2:6-8. Thus, He descended to earth to bring back the one lost sheep, representing humanity.

He refers to Himself as a man, and the hundred sheep represent all intelligent beings, both angels and humans. They are considered sheep because they are guided and nurtured by Him, and the number one hundred symbolizes the completeness of these intelligent beings; there are as many as necessary. The figure of one hundred is often used to denote perfection, as seen in the parable of the sower where it is said, "the earth bears fruit a hundredfold," found in the thirteenth chapter. The lost sheep illustrates humanity, which has strayed from the flock of God and pursued deceitful spirits.

Consider the vast population of Rome and the various uncultivated nations that still exist today, as well as those who have passed away over the course of a century or a millennium. Reflect on all people from Adam's time to the present; their number is indeed significant, yet it pales in comparison to the hosts of angels, who outnumber them greatly. The humanity can be seen as one sheep within a flock of ninety-nine others, illustrating that the scale of a place should be assessed by the abundance of its dwellers.

The concept of the righteous is represented by a multitude, much like the ninety-nine sheep mentioned in the parable (Matthew 18:12). In contrast, the sinner, who faces ruin, can be counted as one, or, should he refuse to repent and cultivate virtues, he may ultimately be regarded as none.

To illustrate the immense value that God places on the redemption of a wandering soul, the Lord presents a parable: What do you think? If a man possesses a hundred sheep and one strays, will he not abandon the ninety-nine in the hills and pursue the one that is lost? - Until he locates it. It is far riskier to leave the sheep on the mountains than in the valleys and pastures, where predatory beasts abound; in those areas, other sheep are more likely to go astray. Yet, such is the compassion of the good shepherd for the lost sheep that he, undeterred by the peril facing the entire flock, ventures into the mountains to seek after the one sheep.

Do not look down upon those who appear to be engulfed in their transgressions, for the Son of Man has come to seek and redeem what is lost. Just as each one of you, upon discovering that one of your sheep has wandered away, will search diligently for that lost sheep, and when you find it, you celebrate with greater joy than over those who remain safe, likewise, the Son of Man came to our world to seek and rescue those who are wandering and in danger. It is the desire of your heavenly Father that all be saved and that none be lost. Given this divine intention, and the fact that He sent His Son to redeem sinners, how can we disregard those who share in our humanity, even if their sins seem greater? Instead of scorn, extend love to the one who has strayed; serve him, guide him back to the path of truth he has veered from, and help to restore him.

To illustrate the immense value that God places on the salvation of an individual, even one who has strayed and succumbed to temptation, the Lord likens His Father in heaven to a shepherd who ventures out to seek a single lost sheep, leaving behind the entirety of the flock. He finds greater joy in recovering that one sheep than in the entire herd. The emphasis on ‘one hundred’ signifies a specific quantity rather than a vague multitude—highlighting the contrast between many sheep compared to that one lost soul. When we speak of ‘in the mountains,’ it encompasses not only elevated terrains but also valleys, plains, and fields. The mountains present heightened dangers for the sheep, primarily due to increased threats from predators as well as the risk of other sheep wandering off. Nevertheless, the shepherd’s profound love for the lost sheep drives him to brave these perils, even if it means leaving the flock momentarily in the mountains to bring back the single straying sheep.

The Lord illustrated this profound truth with a vivid example drawn from the life of shepherds, which he referenced on another occasion (Luke 15:3-7): ‘What do you think? If a certain individual has one hundred sheep and one goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness to seek out the one that is lost? And I tell you, he will rejoice more over that one than over the ninety-nine that did not wander away.’ The Heavenly Father, who sent His Son into the world for humanity's redemption (John 3:17), holds His followers in high esteem—they are precious to Him. Thus, it is not His desire that any of these little ones should be lost. After this, how could one possibly undervalue those whom God Himself cherishes?