The Gospels · Chapter 15 of 24

Luke 15

Criticized for receiving sinners, Jesus answers with three parables of loss and joy. A shepherd leaves ninety nine to find one sheep; a woman sweeps for a lost coin; a father runs to welcome a returning wayward son and pleads with the resentful elder brother. Each ends in celebration, revealing heaven's joy over one sinner who repents and the Father's longing for both his sons.

What happens in Luke 15

Tax collectors and sinners crowd near to hear Jesus, and the Pharisees and scribes complain that he receives and eats with such people. In reply he tells three stories. A man with a hundred sheep leaves the ninety nine to seek the one that is lost, and carries it home rejoicing. A woman with ten silver pieces lights a lamp and sweeps until she finds the one she lost, then calls her friends to celebrate. Then the longest story: a younger son demands his inheritance, squanders it in a far country, and, starving among the swine, comes to himself and returns.

While he is still far off, his father sees him, runs, embraces him, and throws a feast. The elder brother, angry and refusing to enter, protests his own faithfulness. The father goes out to entreat him too, insisting the lost son was dead and is alive again, and it was right to be merry.

Luke 15 in context

The complaint in the first two verses sets the whole chapter: religious leaders scandalized that Jesus welcomes the disreputable. Meals in that culture signaled acceptance, so his table fellowship with sinners was a pointed statement.

Jesus answers not with argument but with parables that place his critics inside the story, especially as the elder brother who cannot rejoice at mercy.

Main themes of Luke 15

Luke 15 (KJV)

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.

Verses to carry from Luke 15

“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 15:7

“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.”Luke 15:20

“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.”Luke 15:32

Reflection

Two sons, two ways of being lost: one in a far country, one in the field refusing to come in. Both are loved, and the father goes out to each. Which son are you today, the one ashamed to come home, or the one too resentful to rejoice? Either way, the father is already coming out to meet you.

A prayer from Luke 15