Luke 15

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

1 Now z the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes a grumbled, saying, b "This man receives sinners and c eats with them."

3 So he told them this parable: 4 d "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, e if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine f in the open country, and g go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, h he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for i I have found my sheep that was lost.' 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who j repents than over ninety-nine k righteous persons who need no repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, 1 if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before l the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

11 And he said, "There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me m the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided n his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in o reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to 2 one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he p was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 "But q when he r came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, s I have sinned against t heaven and before you. 19 u I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."' 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and v ran and w embraced him and x kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. u I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 3 22 But the father said to his servants, 4 'Bring quickly y the best robe, and put it on him, and put z a ring on his hand, and a shoes on his feet. 23 And bring b the fattened calf and kill it, and c let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son d was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.

25 "Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might e celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, f who has devoured g your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' 31 And he said to him, 'Son, h you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting e to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother i was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

  1. Cross References
    Matthew 11:19
    The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.
  2. Cross References
    Luke 19:7
    And when they saw it, they all grumbled, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.
    Exodus 16:2
    And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.
    Exodus 16:7 - 8
    And in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against the Lord. For what are we, that you grumble against us?
    Numbers 14:2
    And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, "Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness!
    Joshua 9:18
    But the people of Israel did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel. Then all the congregation murmured against the leaders.
  3. Cross References
    Luke 7:39
    Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.
  4. Cross References
    Luke 5:30
    And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at...
    Matthew 9:11
    And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to h...
    Matthew 11:19
    The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and th...
    Mark 2:16
    And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw...
    Acts 11:3
    "You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them."
    1 Corinthians 5:11
    But now I am writing to you not to associate wi...
    Galatians 2:12
    For before certain men came from James, he was ...
  5. Cross References
    Luke 15:4 - 7
    What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?
    Matthew 18:12 - 14
    What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?
  6. Cross References
    Ezekiel 34:6
    My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them.
    1 Peter 2:25
    For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
  7. Cross References
    Exodus 3:1
    Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
    1 Samuel 17:28
    Now Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spoke to the men. And Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, "Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and the evil of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.
  8. Cross References
    Ezekiel 34:4
    The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them.
    Ezekiel 34:11 - 12
    For thus says the Lord God : Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out.
    Ezekiel 34:16
    I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.
    Luke 19:10
    For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
  9. Cross References
    Isaiah 40:11
    He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
    Isaiah 49:22
    Thus says the Lord God : "Behold, I will lift up my hand to the nations, and raise my signal to the peoples; and they shall bring your sons in their bosom, and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders.
    Isaiah 60:4
    Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.
    Isaiah 66:12
    For thus says the Lord : "Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip, and bounced upon her knees.
  10. Cross References
    1 Peter 2:25
    For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
  11. Cross References
    Luke 15:10
    Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
    Luke 5:32
    I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.
  12. Cross References
    Luke 5:32
    I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.
    Matthew 9:13
    Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
  13. Cross References
    Luke 12:8
    And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God.
  14. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 21:17
    But he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the unloved, by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the firstfruits of his strength. The right of the firstborn is his.
  15. Cross References
    Luke 15:30
    But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!
    Mark 12:44
    For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.
  16. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:18
    And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.
    Titus 1:6
    If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
    1 Peter 4:4
    With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you.
  17. Cross References
    Luke 16:21
    Who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.
  18. Cross References
    1 Kings 8:47
    Yet if they turn their heart in the land to which they have been carried captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captors, saying, 'We have sinned and have acted perversely and wickedly.
  19. Cross References
    Acts 12:11
    When Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.
  20. Cross References
    Exodus 10:16
    Then Pharaoh hastily called Moses and Aaron and said, "I have sinned against the Lord your God, and against you.
  21. Cross References
    Matthew 21:25
    The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?" And they discussed it among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?
    John 3:27
    John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.
  22. Cross References
    Luke 7:6 - 7
    And Jesus went with them. When he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.
  23. Cross References
    James 4:8
    Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
  24. Cross References
    Genesis 33:4
    But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.
    Acts 20:37
    And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him.
  25. Cross References
    2 Samuel 14:33
    Then Joab went to the king and told him, and he summoned Absalom. So he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king, and the king kissed Absalom.
  26. Cross References
    Luke 15:19
    I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."
  27. Cross References
    Zechariah 3:3 - 5
    Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments.
  28. Cross References
    Genesis 41:42
    Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck.
    Esther 3:10
    So the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman the Agagite, the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews.
    Esther 8:2
    And the king took off his signet ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it to Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.
  29. Cross References
    Ezekiel 16:10
    I clothed you also with embroidered cloth and shod you with fine leather. I wrapped you in fine linen and covered you with silk.
  30. Cross References
    1 Samuel 28:24
    Now the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly killed it, and she took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it.
  31. Cross References
    Luke 12:19
    And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.
  32. Cross References
    Luke 15:32
    It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'
    Romans 11:15
    For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?
    Ephesians 2:1
    And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
    Colossians 2:13
    And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses.
    Revelation 3:1
    And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: 'The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. "'I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
  33. Cross References
    Luke 15:23
    And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.
  34. Cross References
    Proverbs 29:3
    He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
  35. Cross References
    Luke 15:12
    And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them.
  36. Cross References
    John 8:35
    The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
  37. Cross References
    Luke 15:29
    But he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.
  38. Cross References
    Luke 15:24
    For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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