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.
Study Note
Study Note
Jesus' warning not to despise 'one of these little ones; for in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father' grounds care for the vulnerable in an angelology of constant divine access. The 'little ones' in Matthew 18 are both literal children (verse 2) and the socially marginalised disciples who, like children, have no social capital — making the verse a charter for care of both. The concept of guardian angels (with roots in Daniel 10:13-21 and Second Temple angelology) is here given its most direct New Testament expression, though scholars debate whether the angels represent individual guardians or the collective heavenly advocacy of the marginalised. Acts 12:15 (Peter's 'angel') reflects the same popular understanding, suggesting it was a widely shared belief that Matthew's Jesus does not correct but affirms.
Other Translations
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.
`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,
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.
Cross References
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.
So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king’s face.
And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and …
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 …
And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and …
In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to …
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.