Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 18:13

"And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth over it more than over the ninety and nine which have not gone astray." — Matthew 18:13 (ASV)

In the shepherd’s case we read, If so be that he find it, but our great Shepherd does not fail, and is not discouraged. He brings back all the sheep that his Father gave him.

That sheep which, after wandering, is found, gives the shepherd more immediate joy than all the rest, just because it had caused him more present concern. Its rescue brought it to the front in his mind. He was forced to do more for it than for the ninety and nine and therefore, estimating its value by what it has cost him, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. He is not vexed by his loss of time, nor angry because of his extra labor, but his joy is undiluted and overflowing. Evidently the Good Shepherd does not despise the little one because of its straying, for having restored it, he allots it a chief place in his thoughts of joy. Indeed, he gets from it, though it is only one, more than from ninety and nine others of the best of his flock.