 | See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. |
 | 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. |
Jesus reminds His disciples the value the He places on "these little ones," in other words, children.
Children are important to God. "It may be God has entrusted the care of little children to a specific group of His angelic beings (their angels) who are in constant touch with the heavenly Father" (The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament Edition, Victor Books, 1984).
Jesus next demonstrates the importance God attaches to little children by giving the disciples the illustration of the lost sheep in Matthew 18: 12-14. After describing a man who searches for one of his hundred sheep, Jesus asks, "Will he not leave them and search for the one until he finds it?" He points out that in the same way God is concerned about "these little ones" and does not want to lose any of them.