Luke 15:4

The Parable of the Lost Sheep · Luke 15:1–7
Read Luke 15

Translations

Modern
“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?
Traditional
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?
Literal
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep and having lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until he should find it?
Latin
Quis ex vobis homo, qui habet centum oves, et si perdiderit unam ex illis, nonne dimittit nonaginta novem in deserto, et vadit ad illam quæ perierat, donec inveniat eam?

Original

Greek
English
“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?

Notes

  • A flock of a hundred sheep was of average size for a shepherd of modest means. God’s people are often identified as the Lord’s flock (Psalm 23; Isaiah 53:6; Jeremiah 13:17; Ezekiel 34; Zechariah 10:3).

  • leave the ninety-nine: Other shepherds could watch the ninety-nine, so those left behind were not in danger. The shepherd would do anything to find the one that was lost.

Chapter 15 contains three related parables of things lost and found:

The loss of something loved causes deep sorrow, whereas finding it brings great joy. There is great rejoicing in heaven when lost sinners return to their heavenly Father.

Theme notes and profiles

God’s Covenant Love

Events

Parallels

Matthew 18:10–14

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Desert Gospel Jesus Christ Love Luke, Gospel of Sin

Topics

God: Love of, Exemplified Jesus, the Christ: Enunciates the Parables of the Lost Sheep, of the Lost Piece of Silver, of the Prodigal Son Jesus, the Christ: Parable of The Lost Sheep Jesus, the Christ: Saviour Lost Sheep: Parable of Parables: Parables of Christ: Lost Sheep Penitent: Promises To Pharisees: Hypocrisy of, Reproved by Jesus Repentance: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Sheep: Parable of the Lost Shepherds: (Searching out Straying Sheep) Christ Seeking the Lost Shepherds: Care of the Sheep By, Exhibited in Searching Them out when Lost and Straying