See that you do not despise one of these little ones may be translated “Be careful not to look down on one of these little ones” or “Make sure you never consider one of these little ones as unimportant.”

Despise is also used in 6.24; see comments there. Although some translators have wanted to render it as “hate,” most translators have something similar to Barclay: “think of one of these little ones as of no importance.”

For comments on one of these little ones, see Matthew 18.6 and 10.42.

In heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven emphasizes the importance that God attaches to those who believe in him. The Jews believed in guardian angels (see Dan 10.10-14; Acts 12.15; Rev 1.20; 12.7), but Jewish teachers taught that only the highest category of angels had access to the presence of God. Jesus is thereby affirming that these little ones are of such significance to God that the most powerful angels represent them in his presence.

In heaven … in heaven will be unnecessarily repetitious in many languages. Moreover, the meaning of behold the face of my Father is not very clear. The meaning is well expressed by Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch: “Their angels always have access to my Father in heaven.” Except for the repetition of “in heaven,” Barclay is excellent: “I tell you that in heaven their guardian angels always have the right of access to the presence of my Father who is in heaven.”

For angels, see comment on 1.20. The use of their sometimes is a problem for translators, since the expression they might use in the receptor languages may give the idea that these little ones owned the angels. “Guardian angels” of Barclay is a helpful model, and some translators have said “the angels assigned to take care of them” or “the angels who look after them.”

Again, as we suggest above, “right of access” of Barclay is a helpful model for translating behold the face of my father. This can also be expressed as “always can approach” or “always have the right to speak with God.” In some West African languages “can always take the case of these little ones to God” is natural.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .