Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Have no fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Don't be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Fear not, little flock - Or, very little flock, το μικρον ποιμνιον. This is what some term a double diminutive, and, literally translated, is, little little flock. Though this refers solely to the apostles and first believers, of whom it was literally true, yet we may say that the number of genuine believers has been, and is still, small, in comparison of heathens and false Christians.
It is your Father's good pleasure - Ευδοκησεν, It hath pleased, etc., though this tense joined with an infinitive has often the force of the present. Our Lord intimated, God has already given you that kingdom which consists in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, and has undertaken to protect and save you to the uttermost; therefore, fear not; the smallness of your number cannot hurt you, for omnipotence itself has undertaken your cause.
Little flock - Our Saviour often represents himself as a shepherd, and his followers as a flock or as sheep. The figure was beautiful. In Judea it was a common employment to attend flocks. The shepherd was with them, defended them, provided for them, led them to green pastures and beside still waters. In all these things Jesus was and is eminently the Good Shepherd. His flock was small. Few "really" followed him, compared with the multitude who professed to love him. But, though small in number, they were not to fear. God was their Friend. He would provide for them. It was his purpose to give them the kingdom, and they had nothing to fear. See Matthew 6:19-21.
12:32 It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom - How much more food and raiment? And since ye have such aninheritance, regard not your earthly possessions.