Luke — Chapter 15

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1Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

3And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

4What 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?

5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6And 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.

7I 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.

8Either 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?

9And 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.

10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

11And he said, A certain man had two sons:

12And 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.

13And 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.

14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

15And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20And 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.

21And 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.

22But 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:

23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

25Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

26And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

27And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

28And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

29And 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:

30But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

31And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

32It 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.

1Now all the publicans and sinners were drawing near unto him to hear him.

2And both the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

3And he spake unto them this parable, saying,

4What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and his neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7I say unto you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, [more] than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance.

8Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it?

9And when she hath found it, she calleth together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost.

10Even so, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

11And he said, A certain man had two sons:

12and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of [thy] substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

13And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country; and there he wasted his substance with riotous living.

14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.

15And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

17But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father`s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger!

18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight:

19I am no more worthy to be called your son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23and bring the fatted calf, [and] kill it, and let us eat, and make merry:

24for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

25Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.

26And he called to him one of the servants, and inquired what these things might be.

27And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

28But he was angry, and would not go in: and his father came out, and entreated him.

29But he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine; and [yet] thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

30but when this thy son came, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou killedst for him the fatted calf.

31And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that is mine is thine.

32But it was meet to make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive [again]; and [was] lost, and is found.

1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming to hear him.

2But the Pharisees and the experts in the law were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

3So Jesus told them this parable:

4“Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go look for the one that is lost until he finds it?

5Then when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6Returning home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, telling them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my sheep that was lost.’

7I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent.

8“Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search thoroughly until she finds it?

9Then 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.’

10In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”

11Then Jesus said, “A man had two sons.

12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that will belong to me.’ So he divided his assets between them.

13After a few days, the younger son gathered together all he had and left on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his wealth with a wild lifestyle.

14Then after he had spent everything, a severe famine took place in that country, and he began to be in need.

15So he went and worked for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.

16He was longing to eat the carob pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have food enough to spare, but here I am dying from hunger!

18I will get up and go to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired workers.”’

20So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way from home his father saw him, and his heart went out to him; he ran and hugged his son and kissed him.

21Then his son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22But the father said to his slaves, ‘Hurry! Bring the best robe, and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet!

23Bring the fattened calf and kill it! Let us eat and celebrate,

24because this son of mine was dead, and is alive again—he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.

25“Now his older son was in the field. As he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.

26So he called one of the slaves and asked what was happening.

27The slave replied, ‘Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he got his son back safe and sound.’

28But the older son became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and appealed to him,

29but he answered his father, ‘Look! These many years I have worked like a slave for you, and I never disobeyed your commands. Yet you never gave me even a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends!

30But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’

31Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and everything that belongs to me is yours.

32It was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost and is found.’”

1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him.

2The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.”

3He told them this parable.

4“Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep, and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one that was lost, until he found it?

5When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’

7I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

8Or what woman, if she had ten drachma coins, if she lost one drachma coin, wouldn’t light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she found it?

9When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost.’

10Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.”

11He said, “A certain man had two sons.

12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ He divided his livelihood between them.

13Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and traveled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living.

14When he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need.

15He went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

16He wanted to fill his belly with the husks that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any.

17But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying with hunger!

18I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight.

19I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.”’

20“He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.

23Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat, and celebrate;

24for this, my son, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ They began to celebrate.

25“Now his elder son was in the field. As he came near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

26He called one of the servants to him, and asked what was going on.

27He said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and healthy.’

28But he was angry, and would not go in. Therefore his father came out, and begged him.

29But he answered his father, ‘Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.

30But when this your son came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’

31“He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

32But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’”

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

The heart of Luke's Gospel — Jesus tells three parables of God's relentless joy in recovering the lost: the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son, revealing the Father who runs to embrace returning sinners.

Authorship & Background

Author: Luke (see Chapter 1 notes for full authorship details).
Historical Context: Chapter 15 is one of the most beloved chapters in the Bible — containing three parables about lost things: the Lost Sheep (vv.3-7), the Lost Coin (vv.8-10), and the Prodigal Son (vv.11-32). All three are told in response to the Pharisees' complaint: "This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them" (v.2).
The Context: Tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to Jesus (v.1). The Pharisees were grumbling about it (v.2). Jesus tells these three parables to reveal God's heart — He is not reluctant to receive sinners; He actively seeks them and rejoices when they return.
The Three Parables share a common structure: (1) Something valuable is lost (2) A diligent search is conducted (3) The lost is found (4) There is great rejoicing
The Prodigal Son (vv.11-32): The most famous parable in the world. It reveals three characters: the younger son (the rebel who returns), the father (God's extravagant grace), and the elder son (the religious person who resents grace). The parable is really about the father — his patience, his watching, his running, his restoration, and his pursuit of both sons.

Map & Geography

  • On the journey to Jerusalem: These three parables (lost sheep, lost coin, lost son) are told while Jesus travels toward Jerusalem, likely in Perea.
  • "A far country" (v.13): The prodigal went to a distant land — representing spiritual distance from the Father. He returned home, representing repentance.
  • The setting is domestic and agricultural — sheep on hillsides, coins in a house, pigs in fields — all reflecting the landscape of rural Palestine.

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik examines the context (Pharisees grumbling), the three parables as a unified response, the father's extravagant grace, and the elder brother as a picture of religious resentment.
  • Charles Spurgeon: Sermon: "The Prodigal Son" on vv.11-32 (MTP Vol. 10, No. 575) "When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him. The father was watching. He had been watching every day since the boy left. And when he saw him — he ran. In that culture, a dignified man never ran. But love is not dignified. Love runs. Love doesn't wait for the sinner to arrive — it meets him on the road." Sermon: "The Lost Sheep" on vv.3-7 (MTP Vol. 22, No. 1309) "He goes after that which is lost, UNTIL he find it. Not until he gets tired. Not until it gets dark. Not until it seems hopeless. Until he finds it. That is the persistence of God's seeking love."

Reflection

  • 1. The father was watching for his son — "when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him" (v.20). God is watching for you. No matter how far you've wandered, He sees you the moment you turn toward home. Is there an area of your life where you need to "come to yourself" and turn back?
  • 2. The father ran to his son — absorbing the shame, covering the disgrace, restoring fully before the son could finish his rehearsed speech. That is grace. Do you believe God receives you like that — with running, embracing, restoring love? Or do you think you need to earn your way back?
  • 3. The elder brother was angry at the father's generosity (v.28). He had served faithfully but with a servant's heart, not a son's heart (v.29 — "these many years do I serve thee"). Are you serving God out of duty and resentment, or out of love and gratitude? Do you resent God's grace toward people you think don't deserve it?
  • 4. "There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth" (v.10). Your repentance causes celebration in heaven. When did you last repent of something specific? When did you last cause heaven to rejoice?
  • 5. The lost sheep wandered away. The lost coin was dropped. The lost son chose to leave. People are "lost" in different ways — some drift, some are neglected, some rebel. Which describes your story? Which describes people you know?
  • 6. In all three parables, the seeker doesn't wait for the lost to come back — they go looking. God is a seeking God. How does knowing that God actively pursues the lost change how you view evangelism? Are you seeking, or just waiting?
  • 7. The prodigal "came to himself" (v.17) in the pig pen. Sometimes God allows us to hit bottom so we'll look up. Has God ever used a "pig pen" moment in your life to bring you back? What was it?
  • 8. The elder brother said "thou never gavest me a kid" (v.29) — but the father said "all that I have is thine" (v.31). The elder brother had everything but didn't enjoy it because he was focused on what his brother got. Where is comparison and resentment robbing you of the joy of what God has already given you?
  • 9. The parable ends without telling us if the elder brother went in to the party (v.32). It's an open ending — directed at the Pharisees. The question hangs: will you join the celebration of grace, or will you stand outside in resentment? Which are you doing?