Lucas 15

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

1 Now *See Matt. 11:19the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes *ch. 19:7;[Ex. 16:2,7,8;Num. 14:2;Josh. 9:18] grumbled, saying, *[ch. 7:39] "This man receives sinners and *ch. 5:30;Matt. 9:11;11:19;Mark 2:16;[Acts 11:3;1 Cor. 5:11;Gal. 2:12]eats with them."

3 So he told them this parable: 4 *For ver. 4-7, [Matt. 18:12-14] "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, *Ezek. 34:6;[1 Pet. 2:25] if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine *[Ex. 3:1;1 Sam. 17:28] in the open country, and *Ezek. 34:4,11,12,16;[ch. 19:10]go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?5 And when he has found it, *[Isa. 40:11;49:22;60:4;66:12]he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for *1 Pet. 2:25I have found my sheep that was lost.’7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who *ver. 10;See ch. 5:32repents than over ninety-nine *[ch. 5:32;Matt. 9:13]righteous persons who need no repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins,* 15:8 Greek ten drachmas ; a drachma was a Greek coin approximately equal in value to a Roman denarius , worth about a day’s wage for a laborer if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before *See ch. 12:8the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

11 And he said, "There was a man who had two sons.12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me *Deut. 21:17the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided *ver. 30;Mark 12:44his property between them.13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in *[Eph. 5:18;Titus 1:6;1 Pet. 4:4]reckless living.14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.15 So he went and hired himself out to*15:15 Greek joined himself toone of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.16 And he *[ch. 16:21]was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 "But *[1 Kgs. 8:47] when he *[Acts 12:11]came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, *[Ex. 10:16] I have sinned against *Matt. 21:25;John 3:27heaven and before you.19 *[ch. 7:6,7]I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."’20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and *[James 4:8] ran and *Gen. 33:4;Acts 20:37embraced him and *2 Sam. 14:33kissed him.21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. *[See ver. 19above]I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’*15:21 Some manuscripts add treat me as one of your hired servants22 But the father said to his servants,*15:22 Or bondservants‘Bring quickly *Zech. 3:3-5the best robe, and put it on him, and put *Gen. 41:42;Esth. 3:10;8:2a ring on his hand, and *Ezek. 16:10shoes on his feet.23 And bring *[1 Sam. 28:24] the fattened calf and kill it, and *[ch. 12:19]let us eat and celebrate.24 For this my son *ver. 32;[Rom. 11:15;Eph. 2:1;Col. 2:13;Rev. 3:1]was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

25 "Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might *ver. 23celebrate with my friends.30 But when this son of yours came, *Prov. 29:3who has devoured *ver. 12your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’31 And he said to him, ‘Son, *John 8:35you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.32 It was fitting *[See ver. 29above] to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother *ver. 24was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’"