Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 18:11

"[For the Son of man came to save that which was lost.]" — Matthew 18:11 (ASV)

For the Son of man, etc. This is a second reason why we should not despise Christians: because the Son of man came to seek and save them. He came in search of them when they were lost; He found them; He saved them. It was the great object of His life. And though what He sought may be obscure and seem insignificant in the eyes of the world, yet that which the Son of God sought by His toils and His death cannot be worthy of contempt.

Son of man. See the notes on Matthew 8:19-20.

That which was lost. Property is lost when it is consumed, mislaid, and so on—when we no longer have the use of it. Friends are lost when they die—we enjoy their society no longer.

A wicked and profligate man is said to be lost to virtue and happiness. He is useless to society.

So all people are lost. They are wicked, miserable wanderers from God. They are lost to piety, to happiness, and to heaven.

These Jesus came to save by giving His own life as a ransom and shedding His own blood, so that they might be recovered and saved.