Read the Passage: Luke 15

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: Luke 15

Lost Sheep (15:1–7)

After Jesus’ dinner with the Pharisees (cf. Luke 14:1–14), which included His giving of the parable of the great supper (cf. Luke 14:15–24) and His teaching on the cost of discipleship (cf. Luke 14:25–35), many sinners were drawn to Christ. Given Jesus’ difficult teaching about the cost of discipleship, it is remarkable that “the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him” (Luke 15:1; cf. 1 Cor. 1:26–29). However, what is not surprising is that Christ’s popularity provoked the scribes and Pharisees to complain about Him, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2). Observe that in an earlier interchange with the religious leaders, Jesus embraced the notion that He was “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Luke 7:34). Next, in response to complaints from the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus told three parables about God’s joy over repentance.

The first of Jesus’ parables in this passage is the well-known parable of the lost sheep, which is also recorded at Matt. 18:12–14. Indeed, Christ often refers to His followers as sheep, with one of the more recognized passages being Jesus’ teaching about being the Good Shepherd (cf. John 10:1–21). Here, in the parable of the lost sheep, Christ refers to the act of a shepherd leaving a flock of ninety-nine sheep in order to recover one lost sheep. Moreover, Jesus teaches that when the lost sheep is recovered, the shepherd will care for the sheep (cf. Luke 15:5) and call together his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him (cf. Luke 15:6). This practice was not hypothetical, but actual, for Palestinian shepherds were responsible for the sheep under their care (cf. Gen. 31:39). In a similar manner, Christ teaches that God rejoices when even one sinner repents over their sin.

Lost Coin (15:8–10)

Luke 15:8–10 records the parable of the lost coin. In accord with Luke’s emphasis on wealth and poverty related themes, this brief parable is only recorded in this Gospel. The coin in view here is a Greek drachma, which is roughly equivalent to a Roman denarius, or to a day’s wages. Note it was common for a newly married women to wear a garland of ten drachmas around her neck. In Jesus’ parable, a woman loses one of her drachmas. Given its value, the woman then searches earnestly for the lost coin, even lighting a lamp and sweeping the floor. As was the case with the lost sheep, when the coin is recovered, the woman calls her friends and neighbors to rejoice. Then, in an often-misquoted verse, Christ teaches, “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10). Observe that text specifically says that it is God who rejoices in heaven, not angels (cf. Luke 15:7, 20).

Lost Son (15:11–32)

Luke 15:11–32 narrates one of Jesus’ most famous parables—that is, the parable of the prodigal son. The main theme of this parable is authentic repentance and the joy that such repentance brings. In the first part of this parable, a younger son asks for and receives his inheritance from his father. The son then travels to a far country and squanders all of his money on prodigal (i.e., recklessly wasteful) living (cf. Luke 15:11–16). Finally, in his newly impoverished state, this younger son begins to think clearly and, with a penitent heart, decides to return to his father. Observe the textual clues that this prodigal son was truly repenting: first, Christ teaches that the son “came to himself” (Luke 15:17)—that is, he came to his senses; second, the son resolved within his heart to admit “I have sinned” (Luke 15:18); and third, the son realized, “I am . . . [not] worthy” (Luke 15:19).

In Luke 15:20–32, Jesus concludes this narrative by explaining what transpired when the younger son returned home. Observe that the focus of these verses is not upon the prodigal son, but upon the reaction of the father. Indeed, when the younger son returned home, he did not even get a chance to fully deliver his rehearsed speech, as the father immediately and joyfully accepted the son back into the family, even celebrating his return. This mirrors God’s joy at the repentance of a sinner, which is the common theme of the three parables in this chapters (cf. Luke 15:7, 10, 20–24). Yet, a surprising aspect of this parable is the critical response of the older son to his father’s acceptance of his repentant younger brother. The older son’s reaction is meant to highlight the hypocritical, self-righteous actions of the scribes and Pharisees in light of Jesus’ acceptance of repentant sinners.

Application Questions:

1. How can we explain the joy of God when a sinner repents? Do you find it difficult to rejoice with those who are rejoicing?
2. Given Jesus’ teaching about the cost of discipleship, why were so many sinners drawn to Him?
3. Given that societal outcasts were not just attracted to Jesus, but repented of their sins, why were the religious leaders so upset?
4. What are some essential marks of true repentance? What is the difference between guilt, sorrow, and repentance?
5. Why is it sometimes easier for a prodigal son to accept the gospel, than it is for legalistic son to do so?