Parables of the Lost Coin and the Lost Sheep: Luke 15:1
by Owen Borville
Jesus describes the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke (15:1-10). In the Parable of the Lost Coin, Jesus describes a woman who has ten silver coins and loses one. She goes through much trouble to find the one lost coin until she finally finds it. When she finds the lost coin, she rejoices over the the found coin more than the other coins. This parable is explained to symbolize a lost soul or sinner who decides to repent and come to the Lord. The angels of the Lord will rejoice greatly when one sinner repents and comes to the Lord, much greater than for anyone else.
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? 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. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. Luke 15:8-10.
The Parable of the Lost Coin is unique to the Gospel of Luke and reflects the fact that not every story or parable was told by every disciple. Each disciple had their own unique style and methodology of telling of their relationship with Jesus and their account of his life on Earth. This parable was explained by Jesus as the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around Jesus to listen to hear him speak. The Pharisees and the "teachers of the law" of the established religious hierarchy within the Jewish nation were wondering why Jesus would associate with these people. Some of the Pharisees even said of Jesus:
"This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Luke 15:2.
However, the Parable explained that Jesus was trying to bring sinners to repentance. Jesus was associating with them not because he approved of their behavior, but because he wanted to lead them to repentance. Likewise, Jesus explained how all of the angels of the Lord in heaven would rejoice greatly if one of these sinners was led to repentance. The parable also illustrates the profound differences in the style of ministry of Jesus, which was focused on grace and truth, compared to that of the Pharisees, which was focused on the law and religious tradition.
The Parable of the Lost Coin is also Similar to the Parable of the Lost Sheep, which Jesus explains immediately prior. The Parable of the Lost Sheep, which is also unique to the Gospel of Luke, and is recorded in Luke 15:4-7, explains if a man has 100 sheep and loses one, the man will go to great lengths to find that one sheep. When the lost sheep is found, the man will rejoice greatly over the found sheep, much greater than the other sheep.
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? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 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. 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. Luke 15:4-7.
The parable symbolizes how the angels in heaven will rejoice greater for one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people that did not need to repent or had already repented. Although Jesus greatly appreciated those who already believed in him and his mission, he was clear that his most important mission was to lead the unbelievers to faith in the Lord.
by Owen Borville
Jesus describes the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke (15:1-10). In the Parable of the Lost Coin, Jesus describes a woman who has ten silver coins and loses one. She goes through much trouble to find the one lost coin until she finally finds it. When she finds the lost coin, she rejoices over the the found coin more than the other coins. This parable is explained to symbolize a lost soul or sinner who decides to repent and come to the Lord. The angels of the Lord will rejoice greatly when one sinner repents and comes to the Lord, much greater than for anyone else.
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? 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. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. Luke 15:8-10.
The Parable of the Lost Coin is unique to the Gospel of Luke and reflects the fact that not every story or parable was told by every disciple. Each disciple had their own unique style and methodology of telling of their relationship with Jesus and their account of his life on Earth. This parable was explained by Jesus as the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around Jesus to listen to hear him speak. The Pharisees and the "teachers of the law" of the established religious hierarchy within the Jewish nation were wondering why Jesus would associate with these people. Some of the Pharisees even said of Jesus:
"This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." Luke 15:2.
However, the Parable explained that Jesus was trying to bring sinners to repentance. Jesus was associating with them not because he approved of their behavior, but because he wanted to lead them to repentance. Likewise, Jesus explained how all of the angels of the Lord in heaven would rejoice greatly if one of these sinners was led to repentance. The parable also illustrates the profound differences in the style of ministry of Jesus, which was focused on grace and truth, compared to that of the Pharisees, which was focused on the law and religious tradition.
The Parable of the Lost Coin is also Similar to the Parable of the Lost Sheep, which Jesus explains immediately prior. The Parable of the Lost Sheep, which is also unique to the Gospel of Luke, and is recorded in Luke 15:4-7, explains if a man has 100 sheep and loses one, the man will go to great lengths to find that one sheep. When the lost sheep is found, the man will rejoice greatly over the found sheep, much greater than the other sheep.
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? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 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. 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. Luke 15:4-7.
The parable symbolizes how the angels in heaven will rejoice greater for one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people that did not need to repent or had already repented. Although Jesus greatly appreciated those who already believed in him and his mission, he was clear that his most important mission was to lead the unbelievers to faith in the Lord.
