Luke Chapter 15: Parables of the Lost and Found


Summary
Luke 15 contains three parables Jesus tells in response to Pharisees and scribes grumbling about His association with tax collectors and sinners. Each parable illustrates God’s relentless pursuit of the lost and His joy when they repent:
  • Parable of the Lost Sheep (15:1–7): A shepherd leaves his 99 sheep to search for one that is lost. When he finds it, he carries it home rejoicing and calls his friends to celebrate. Jesus says there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over the righteous who need no repentance.
  • Parable of the Lost Coin (15:8–10): A woman loses one of her ten silver coins and diligently searches until she finds it. She rejoices with her friends, reflecting the joy of angels over a repentant sinner.
  • Parable of the Prodigal Son (15:11–32): A younger son demands his inheritance, leaves home, and squanders it in reckless living. After hitting rock bottom, he returns home repentant, and his father welcomes him with a lavish celebration. The older son, resentful of the father’s mercy, refuses to join the feast. The father reassures him of his secure place but emphasizes the joy of the lost son’s return.
Cross-References
  • Lost Sheep:
    • Matthew 18:12–14: Parallel account of the lost sheep parable.
    • Isaiah 53:6: “All we like sheep have gone astray.”
    • Ezekiel 34:11–16: God as the shepherd seeking His scattered flock.
    • 1 Peter 2:25: Jesus as the Shepherd of souls.
  • Lost Coin:
    • Luke 19:10: Jesus came to seek and save the lost.
    • Psalm 32:7: God’s joy in delivering sinners.
  • Prodigal Son:
    • Hosea 11:1–4: God’s compassionate love for wayward Israel.
    • Romans 8:15: Believers as adopted children of God.
    • Ephesians 2:4–7: God’s rich mercy toward sinners.
    • 2 Corinthians 5:17: New creation through repentance.
  • General Theme:
    • 1 Timothy 1:15: Christ came to save sinners.
    • John 3:17: God sent His Son to save, not condemn.
Theological Meaning
Luke 15 is a profound exposition of God’s heart for sinners, with key theological themes:
  • God’s Pursuit: The shepherd, woman, and father represent God’s initiative in seeking sinners (15:4, 8, 20). This reflects Jesus’ mission to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) and God’s love for the wayward (John 3:16).
  • Joy in Repentance: Heaven’s joy over one repentant sinner (15:7, 10, 32) underscores God’s delight in restoration, prioritizing mercy over judgment (James 2:13). This challenges the Pharisees’ self-righteousness (15:2).
  • Grace and Forgiveness: The prodigal son’s undeserved welcome (15:20–24) illustrates God’s grace, forgiving sinners who return in faith (Ephesians 1:7). It shows salvation is not earned but received (Titus 3:5).
  • Human Responses: The older son’s resentment (15:28–30) mirrors the Pharisees’ refusal to accept God’s mercy for sinners. It warns against pride and legalism, urging humility (Romans 3:23).
  • Universal Call: The parables emphasize that all sinners, regardless of status (tax collectors, Gentiles), are invited to repent and join God’s family, aligning with Luke’s theme of salvation for all (Luke 2:32; Acts 10:34–35).
Questions and Answers
  1. Why did the Pharisees grumble about Jesus eating with sinners (15:1–2)?
    • Pharisees viewed tax collectors and sinners as unclean, believing association with them defiled their righteousness (Luke 7:39). Jesus’ fellowship with them challenged their legalism, showing God’s desire to save all (1 Timothy 1:15).
  2. What does the lost sheep represent (15:4–7)?
    • The lost sheep symbolizes a sinner separated from God by sin (Isaiah 53:6). The shepherd’s search reflects Jesus’ pursuit of the lost, and the joy in heaven (15:7) highlights God’s delight in their repentance (Ezekiel 18:23).
  3. Why was the lost coin so important to the woman (15:8–10)?
    • The silver coin (likely a drachma, a day’s wage) was valuable, possibly part of her savings or dowry. Her diligent search mirrors God’s care for each sinner, and her joy (15:9) reflects heaven’s celebration over repentance (15:10).
  4. Why did the prodigal son demand his inheritance (15:12)?
    • The younger son’s request was disrespectful, essentially wishing his father dead, as inheritances were typically given after death (Deuteronomy 21:17). His actions reflect human rebellion against God, seeking independence in sin (Romans 3:11–12).
  5. Why did the father welcome the prodigal son so warmly (15:20–24)?
    • The father’s compassion, running to embrace his son (15:20), symbolizes God’s unconditional love and forgiveness for repentant sinners (Psalm 103:12). The feast (15:23) celebrates restoration to sonship, like salvation’s joy (John 10:10).
  6. What’s wrong with the older son’s attitude (15:25–30)?
    • The older son’s anger (15:28) reflects self-righteousness, like the Pharisees (15:2). He resents the father’s grace, feeling entitled for his obedience (15:29). This warns against pride and missing God’s heart for the lost (Romans 9:31–32).
  7. What does the father’s response to the older son mean (15:31–32)?
    • The father reassures the older son of his secure place (15:31) but emphasizes the joy of the lost son’s return (15:32). It invites the Pharisees to join God’s celebration of sinners’ repentance rather than judging (Luke 5:32).
  8. Are these parables about salvation or something else (15:1–32)?
    • The parables primarily illustrate salvation—God’s pursuit, forgiveness, and joy when sinners repent (15:7, 10, 32). They also teach about God’s character (merciful, seeking) and challenge self-righteousness, urging all to embrace His grace (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Additional Notes for Readers
  • Historical Context: Tax collectors and sinners were social outcasts in Jewish society, shunned by religious leaders (15:1). Shepherds were lowly, yet Jesus uses one to represent God’s care (15:4). The prodigal son’s squandering in a “far country” (15:13) likely evoked Gentile lands, resonating with Luke’s theme of salvation for all. The older son’s complaint about a “goat” (15:29) reflects cultural feasts, where goats were less lavish than calves (15:23).
  • Cultural Questions: Readers might wonder why the father ran to the prodigal (15:20), an undignified act for an elder in that culture, showing extraordinary love. The coin’s value (15:8) was significant for a poor woman, making her search relatable. The Pharisees’ grumbling (15:2) stemmed from their view of purity, which Jesus redefines through mercy.
  • Application: Luke 15 invites believers to reflect God’s heart by seeking the lost, forgiving freely, and rejoicing in repentance. It challenges pride, urging humility and gratitude for God’s grace, and encourages sharing the gospel with all (Matthew 28:19).
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