In Matthew 18:10, Jesus warns how serious it is to despise all who have angels as their friends. These little ones
means both believers (Matthew 18:6) and children in general (Matthew 18:1–5; Matthew 19:14). Jesus warns both the world (Matthew 18:6–7) and his disciples (Matthew 19:8–9).
Matthew 18:10 links back to Matthew 18:4. The fact that these little ones are great in God’s eyes is seen in the fact that he is always in contact with their angels. Just as some earthly servants can always speak to the king, so also there are angels who can always speak to God concerning the care of the believers.
The fact that the angels always see God’s face implies their unhindered access to God in their task to protect believers (Psalm 91:11; Acts 12:7, Acts 12:15). Angels are named either after the Lord whom they serve (God or the devil) or after the domain to which they have been appointed (Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:20,Daniel 10:21; Daniel 12:1; 1 Corinthians 11:10; Revelation 1:20; Revelation 14:18; Revelation 16:5).
In Matthew 18:10 Jesus highlights that it is no small matter to despise people who have angels as their friends. Here the phrase these little ones
refers both to believers (Matthew 18:6) and to children in general (Matthew 18:1–5; see also Matthew 19:14). Moreover, Jesus speaks on the one hand to the world (Matthew 18:6–7), but on the other hand also to his disciples (Matthew 19:8–9).1
This particular passage here in Matthew 18:10 needs to be understood in light of Matthew 18:4. That these little ones are great in God’s eyes is apparent from the fact that he is in permanent contact with their angels. Just as in an earthly royal court some servants can always speak to the king, so also there are angels who can speak constantly to the Lord concerning their work. And this is especially true of those angels to whom the care of the believers have been entrusted.2
The fact that the angels are continually present with the Father, beholding his face, implies that they belong to the innermost circle around God’s throne. They therefore stand directly before God and at all times have unhindered access to him. These are the angels whose task it is to protect believers (Psalm 91:11; see Acts 12:7, Acts 12:15). Angels are named either after the Lord whom they serve (God or the devil) or after the domain over which they have been appointed (Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:20,Daniel 10:21; Daniel 12:1; 1 Corinthians 11:10; Revelation 1:20; Revelation 14:18; Revelation 16:5).3
10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.