Luke 15

King James Version

Full text for Luke Chapter 15

1¶ Then 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,

4‹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?›

5‹And when he hath found [it], he layeth [it] on his shoulders, rejoicing.›

6‹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.›

7‹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.›

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]?›

9‹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.›

10‹Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.›

11¶ And he said, ‹A certain man had two sons:›

12‹And 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.›

13‹And 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.›

14‹And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.›

15‹And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.›

16‹And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.›

17‹And 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!›

18‹I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,›

19‹And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.›

20‹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.›

21‹And 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.›

22‹But 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:›

23‹And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill [it]; and let us eat, and be merry:›

24‹For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.›

25‹Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.›

26‹And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.›

27‹And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.›

28‹And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.›

29‹And 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:›

30‹But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.›

31‹And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.›

32‹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.›

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Jesus tells three parables—the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son—to illustrate God's joy over repentant sinners. He addresses the murmuring Pharisees and scribes who criticize Him for associating with publicans and sinners. Each parable emphasizes the diligent search for what is lost and the great rejoicing upon its recovery, equating this joy to that in heaven over a single sinner who repents.

Medium Summary

Luke chapter 15 records Jesus' response to the Pharisees and scribes who murmured because He received and ate with publicans and sinners. He presents three parables to explain divine compassion and joy over repentance. First, the parable of the lost sheep describes a shepherd leaving ninety-nine to seek one lost sheep, rejoicing greatly upon its return. Second, the parable of the lost coin portrays a woman diligently searching for a single lost coin and celebrating its recovery with her neighbours. Both parables conclude that there is immense joy in heaven over one sinner who repenteth. Finally, the parable of the prodigal son illustrates a father's unconditional love and forgiveness for his younger son who squandered his inheritance but returned in repentance, leading to a joyful restoration.

Long Summary

In Luke chapter 15, Jesus addresses the critical murmuring of the Pharisees and scribes, who were displeased that He welcomed and dined with publicans and sinners. To explain His actions, Jesus delivers three profound parables, each highlighting the theme of loss, diligent search, and joyous recovery, culminating in the celebration of repentance. The first, the parable of the lost sheep, describes a shepherd who leaves his ninety-nine sheep to search for one that is lost, and upon finding it, carries it home rejoicing, declaring that there is more joy in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine just persons. The second, the parable of the lost coin, illustrates a woman who, having lost one of ten silver pieces, lights a candle and sweeps diligently until she finds it, then calls her friends to rejoice with her, signifying the joy in the presence of the angels of God over a single sinner's repentance. The third and most extensive is the parable of the prodigal son. It tells of a younger son who demands his inheritance, travels to a far country, and squanders his wealth in riotous living. Reduced to destitution and feeding swine, he "comes to himself" and resolves to return to his father, even as a hired servant. His father, seeing him from afar, runs to him with compassion, embraces him, and immediately restores him with the best robe, a ring, shoes, and orders the fatted calf to be killed for a celebration, proclaiming, "this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." The elder son, who had faithfully served, becomes angry and refuses to join the festivities. The father gently explains to him the profound reason for their joy: the return and restoration of his lost brother.

Core Concepts

  • Divine Joy over RepentanceThe chapter repeatedly emphasizes that there is great joy in heaven and among the angels of God over one sinner who repenteth, more than over those who perceive themselves as righteous.
  • The Lost and FoundEach parable features something valuable that is lost—a sheep, a coin, a son—and the subsequent diligent search and joyous recovery, symbolizing sinners being reconciled to God.
  • God's Compassion and ForgivenessThe father's immediate and unconditional embrace of his returning son, despite his past transgressions, exemplifies divine compassion, forgiveness, and restoration.
  • The Murmuring of the RighteousThe chapter begins with the Pharisees and scribes murmuring against Jesus for receiving and eating with publicans and sinners, setting the stage for His teaching on God's welcoming nature.
  • Prodigal Living and ConsequencesThe younger son's wasteful and riotous living in a far country leads to severe want and degradation, illustrating the natural consequences of straying from righteous paths.
  • Self-Realization and ReturnThe prodigal son "comes to himself" in his destitution, recognizing his error and resolving to humble himself and return to his father, signifying true repentance.
  • Brotherly ResentmentThe elder son's anger and refusal to celebrate his brother's return reveal a judgmental attitude, contrasting with the father's joy over the lost being found.