The Lost Sheep

Illustration of The Lost Sheep

In this parable Jesus addressed the Pharisees and scribes who murmured at his welcome of sinners, depicting a shepherd who leaves his ninety-nine sheep in the wilderness to seek the one that is lost until he finds it. Once recovered, the shepherd carries the sheep home on his shoulders rejoicing and gathers his friends and neighbors to share in the celebration of its return. The account thus displays God's gracious initiative in pursuing the wayward and the heavenly joy that erupts when even one sinner repents, revealing the heart of divine forgiveness at the center of redemption.

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Category: Grace & Forgiveness

Meaning: God actively seeks the lost and rejoices greatly when even one sinner repents.

Audience: Pharisees & Scribes

Key Passages

The Parable

Luke 15:3-7

A3nd 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.

Matthew's Account

Matthew 18:12-14

H12ow think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Related

Characters

Life Situations

Did You Know?

1

A shepherd leaving 99 sheep to find 1 was considered reckless by worldly standards.

2

The 'wilderness' where the 99 were left was open grazing land, not dangerous terrain.

3

Jesus told this parable in response to Pharisees criticizing him for eating with sinners.