Luke 15 KJV
Parables of the Lost
Parables of the Lost
Contains three 'lost' parables told in response to Pharisees grumbling about sinners Themes: Repentance
1hen drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my fatherโs have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Words in red are the direct words of Jesus Christ.
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Did You Know?
Contains three 'lost' parables told in response to Pharisees grumbling about sinners
The lost sheep (1 of 100), lost coin (1 of 10), lost son (1 of 2) - increasing value and intimacy
The father ran to the prodigal - undignified for a Middle Eastern patriarch, showing desperate love
The elder brother is the real target of the parable - he represents the Pharisees
Heaven rejoices more over one sinner who repents than 99 who need no repentance
In first-century Jewish culture, a younger son requesting his inheritance while his father lived was equivalent to wishing him dead, an unprecedented act of dishonor that would have left listeners stunned.
Jesus' genealogy in Matthew intentionally incorporates four Gentile women. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Uriah's wife. Highlighting the inclusion of outsiders in the messianic lineage contrary to typical Jewish genealogical emphasis on purity.
Although often portrayed as an adult, first-century Jewish betrothal customs indicate Mary was likely only 12 to 14 years old when Gabriel appeared to her in Nazareth, making her one of the youngest named figures to receive a direct divine commission in Scripture.
John the Baptist's diet of locusts and wild honey not only reflected his ascetic lifestyle in the wilderness but also aligned with kosher dietary laws, as locusts were permitted under Levitical regulations (Leviticus 11:22).
Bethlehem means 'House of Bread' in Hebrew. Fitting for the birthplace of the 'Bread of Life'.
Nazareth was so insignificant that Nathanael asked 'Can anything good come from Nazareth?'
Through these events Galilee became central to the redemptive story, showing how the light of the gospel advanced from ordinary places among everyday people.
Commentary & Study Notes Jamieson-Fausset-Brown (1871) ยท Public Domain drew near... all the publicans and sinners, &c. โ drawn around Him by the extraordinary adaptation of His teaching to their case, who, till He appeared โ at least His forerunneโฆ
Classic verse-by-verse commentary on Luke 15 from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown (1871). Covers: Publicans and sinners welcomed by Christ--three parables to explain this; I. The lost sheep; Ii. The lost coin; Iii. The prodigal son.
- 1
- drew near... all the publicans and sinners, &c. โ drawn around Him by the extraordinary adaptation of His teaching to their case, who, till He appeared โ at least His forerunner โ might well say, "No man careth for my soul."
- 2
- murmured, saying, &c. โ took it ill, were scandalized at Him, and insinuated (on the principle that a man is known by the company he keeps) that He must have some secret sympathy with their character. But oh, what a truth of unspeakable preciousness do their lips, as on other occasions, unconsciously utter., Now follow three parables representing the sinner: (1) in his stupidity; (2) as all-unconscious of his lost condition; (3) knowingly and willingly estranged from God [BENGEL]. The first two set forth the seeking love of God; the last, His receiving love [TRENCH].
Read all 25 notes on Luke 15 โ