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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 15:3 Then Jesus told them this parable:</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/15-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/42_Luk_15_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 15:3 - The Parable of the Lost Sheep" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Jesus told them this parable:" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script 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frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/luke/15-2.htm" title="Luke 15:2">◄</a> Luke 15:3 <a href="/luke/15-4.htm" title="Luke 15:4">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/luke/15.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/luke/15.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Then Jesus told them this parable:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/luke/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So Jesus told them this story:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/luke/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So he told them this parable:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/luke/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Jesus told them this parable:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And He spoke to them this parable, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/luke/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he spake this parable unto them, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/luke/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So He spoke this parable to them, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/luke/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And <i>so</i> He told them this parable, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/luke/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So He told them this parable, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/luke/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And He told them this parable, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/luke/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So He told them this parable, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/luke/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So He told them this parable:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/luke/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So he told them this parable:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/luke/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So He told them this parable: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/luke/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he spake unto them this parable, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/luke/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then Jesus told them this story: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/luke/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he spake unto them this parable, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/luke/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jesus spoke to them using this illustration:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/luke/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So Jesus told them this parable: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/luke/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So he told them this parable:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/luke/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Jesus told them this parable:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/luke/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So Jesus told them this parable:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/luke/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He told them this parable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/luke/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he spoke this parable to them, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />So in figurative language He asked them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/luke/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He told them this parable: <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/luke/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And He spoke to them this allegory, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And He spoke to them this parable, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/luke/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he spake unto them this simile, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/luke/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he spake this parable to them, saying,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/luke/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he spoke to them this parable, saying: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/luke/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he told this parable to them, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/luke/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So to them he addressed this parable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/luke/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So he told them this parable:<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/luke/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />So Jesus told them this parable,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/15.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And Yeshua told them this parable:<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/luke/15.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And he spoke this parable to them, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/luke/15.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And He spoke this parable to them, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/luke/15.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Then spake he unto them this parable, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/luke/15.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />but he propos'd to them this parable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />So in figurative language He asked them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/luke/15.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And He spake to them this parable, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/luke/15.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />But He spake to them this parable,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/luke/15-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=6158" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/luke/15.htm">The Parable of the Lost Sheep</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>So the Pharisees and scribes began to grumble: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">Then</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: Eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">Jesus told</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autous (PPro-AM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them</a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: tautēn (DPro-AFS) -- This; he, she, it. ">this</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3850.htm" title="3850: parabolēn (N-AFS) -- From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.">parable:</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. "></a> </span> <span class="reftext">4</span>“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?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-12.htm">Matthew 18:12-14</a></span><br />What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? / And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. / In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/34-11.htm">Ezekiel 34:11-16</a></span><br />For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out. / As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. / I will bring them out from the peoples, gather them from the countries, and bring them into their own land. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines, and in all the settlements of the land. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11-16</a></span><br />I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. / The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. / The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/23-1.htm">Psalm 23:1-4</a></span><br />A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. / He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. / He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-11.htm">Isaiah 40:11</a></span><br />He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-3.htm">Jeremiah 23:3-4</a></span><br />Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock from all the lands to which I have banished them, and I will return them to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and multiply. / I will raise up shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or dismayed, nor will any go missing, declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-25.htm">1 Peter 2:25</a></span><br />For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-27.htm">John 10:27-30</a></span><br />My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. / I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. / My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-176.htm">Psalm 119:176</a></span><br />I have strayed like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commandments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-6.htm">Isaiah 53:6</a></span><br />We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-6.htm">Jeremiah 50:6</a></span><br />My people are lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, causing them to roam the mountains. They have wandered from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-14.htm">Micah 7:14</a></span><br />Shepherd with Your staff Your people, the flock of Your inheritance. They live alone in a woodland, surrounded by pastures. Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/11-16.htm">Zechariah 11:16</a></span><br />For behold, I will raise up a shepherd in the land who will neither care for the lost, nor seek the young, nor heal the broken, nor sustain the healthy, but he will devour the flesh of the choice sheep and tear off their hooves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-20.htm">Hebrews 13:20-21</a></span><br />Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, / equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-34.htm">1 Samuel 17:34-36</a></span><br />David replied, “Your servant has been tending his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or a bear came and carried off a lamb from the flock, / I went after it, struck it down, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. If it reared up against me, I would grab it by its fur, strike it down, and kill it. / Your servant has killed lions and bears; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he spoke this parable to them, saying,</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/6-40.htm">Figurative</a> <a href="/luke/14-25.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/luke/6-40.htm">Language</a> <a href="/luke/14-7.htm">Parable</a> <a href="/luke/14-7.htm">Simile</a> <a href="/luke/14-7.htm">Story</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/10-6.htm">Figurative</a> <a href="/luke/15-11.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/8-43.htm">Language</a> <a href="/luke/18-1.htm">Parable</a> <a href="/luke/18-1.htm">Simile</a> <a href="/luke/18-1.htm">Story</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/15-1.htm">The parable of the lost sheep;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/15-8.htm">of the piece of silver;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/15-11.htm">of the prodigal son.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then Jesus</b><br>This phrase indicates a continuation of a narrative. Jesus, the central figure of the New Testament, is often depicted as a teacher and storyteller. His use of parables is a hallmark of His teaching method, designed to convey deep spiritual truths in a relatable manner. In the context of <a href="/luke/15.htm">Luke 15</a>, Jesus is addressing a mixed audience of tax collectors, sinners, Pharisees, and scribes, highlighting His role as a teacher to all people, regardless of social or religious standing.<p><b>told them</b><br>The audience here is crucial. Jesus is speaking to both the religious leaders and the marginalized, which underscores the inclusive nature of His message. The Pharisees and scribes were often critical of Jesus for associating with sinners, and this parable is part of His response to their grumbling. The act of telling implies a deliberate communication meant to provoke thought and self-reflection among His listeners.<p><b>this parable</b><br>Parables are simple, metaphorical stories used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. In the Gospels, Jesus frequently uses parables to reveal truths about the Kingdom of God. The parable that follows in <a href="/luke/15.htm">Luke 15</a> is the Parable of the Lost Sheep, which emphasizes God's love and the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. Parables often contain elements of surprise or reversal, challenging the listener's expectations and inviting them to see the world from God's perspective. This particular parable is part of a trilogy in <a href="/luke/15.htm">Luke 15</a>, including the Lost Coin and the Prodigal Son, all of which focus on themes of loss, searching, and redemption.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>The central figure in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is the one who tells the parable. He is teaching the Pharisees and scribes who are questioning His association with sinners.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharisees_and_scribes.htm">Pharisees and Scribes</a></b><br>Religious leaders of the time who were critical of Jesus for welcoming and eating with sinners. Their attitude prompts Jesus to share the parable.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_parable.htm">The Parable</a></b><br>While <a href="/luke/15-3.htm">Luke 15:3</a> itself does not specify which parable, it introduces the Parable of the Lost Sheep, which is a account Jesus uses to illustrate a spiritual truth.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lost_sheep.htm">The Lost Sheep</a></b><br>Represents sinners who have strayed from God, whom Jesus seeks to bring back into the fold.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_shepherd.htm">The Shepherd</a></b><br>Symbolizes Jesus or God, who actively seeks out the lost and rejoices upon their return.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_heart_of_god_for_the_lost.htm">The Heart of God for the Lost</a></b><br>God actively seeks those who are lost, demonstrating His love and desire for reconciliation with sinners.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_joy_of_repentance.htm">The Joy of Repentance</a></b><br>There is great rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents, illustrating the value of each individual to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_believers.htm">The Role of Believers</a></b><br>As followers of Christ, we are called to share in His mission to seek and save the lost, showing compassion and grace to those who are far from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-reflection_on_attitudes.htm">Self-Reflection on Attitudes</a></b><br>Believers should examine their own attitudes towards sinners, ensuring they reflect Christ's love and not the judgmental stance of the Pharisees.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_parables.htm">Understanding Parables</a></b><br>Parables are a teaching tool used by Jesus to convey deep spiritual truths in a relatable way, encouraging us to seek deeper understanding and application.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_gospel_of_the_kingdom.htm">What is the Gospel of the Kingdom about?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_kingdom_of_god.htm">What defines the Kingdom of God in Christianity?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_meritorious_works.htm">What defines meritorious works?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_use_parables,_not_direct_words.htm">Why does the Bible use parables and metaphors instead of direct statements?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/luke/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 3-5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness?</span> Now, there are two leading ideas in the three stories - one on the side of the Speaker; one on the side of those to whom the parable-stories were spoken. <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> <span class="accented">On the side of the speaker.</span> God's anxiety for sinners is shown; he pities with a great pity their wretchedness; he sets, besides, a high value on their souls, as part of a treasure belonging to him. <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> <span class="accented">On the side of the listeners.</span> Their sympathy with him in his anxiety for stoners is claimed. He has sought it hitherto m vain. The imagery of the first story is very homely - easy, too, to understand. A small sheep-master pastures his little flock of a hundred sheep in one of those wide uncultivated plains which fringe portions of the land of promise. This is what we must understand by "the wilderness." The hundred sheep represent the people of Israel. The lost sheep, one who had broken with Jewish respectability. <span class="accented">One</span> only is mentioned as lost, not by any means as representing the small number of the outcast class - the contrary is the case - but as indicative of the value in the eyes of the All-Father of <span class="accented">one</span> immortal soul. <span class="cmt_word">And go after that which is lost, until he find it. And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing</span>. This diligent search after the lost one, the tender care shown by the shepherd when the object of his search was found, and the subsequent joy, pictured in a humble everyday figure the mode of acting of which the orthodox Jews complained. They said, "He receiveth stoners, and eateth with them." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/luke/15-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Then</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[Jesus] told</span><br /><span class="grk">Εἶπεν</span> <span class="translit">(Eipen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> </span><span class="str2">Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτοὺς</span> <span class="translit">(autous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="grk">ταύτην</span> <span class="translit">(tautēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">parable:</span><br /><span class="grk">παραβολὴν</span> <span class="translit">(parabolēn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3850.htm">Strong's 3850: </a> </span><span class="str2">From paraballo; a similitude, i.e. fictitious narrative, apothegm or adage.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/15-3.htm">Luke 15:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/luke/15-3.htm">Luke 15:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/luke/15-3.htm">Luke 15:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/luke/15-3.htm">Luke 15:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/luke/15-3.htm">Luke 15:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/15-3.htm">Luke 15:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/15-3.htm">Luke 15:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/15-3.htm">Luke 15:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/luke/15-3.htm">Luke 15:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/luke/15-3.htm">Luke 15:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/luke/15-3.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 15:3 He told them this parable (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/15-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 15:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 15:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/15-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 15:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 15:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>