The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Study note
As tax collectors and sinners gather to hear Jesus, the Pharisees complain that He welcomes and eats with them. Jesus responds with the parable of a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to search for one that is lost, and upon finding it, carries it home rejoicing and calls friends and neighbors to celebrate. The application is direct: there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine who think they need no repentance.
1 Tax collectors and people known as sinners kept crowding around Jesus to hear what he had to say. Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2 The Pharisees and religion teachers grumbled. They said, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3 So Jesus told them this story: And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4 "Imagine you own a hundred sheep and one of them wanders off. Would you not leave the other ninety-nine out in the open and go search for the missing one until you track it down?" 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 "When you finally find it, you would be so happy that you would lift it right up onto your shoulders." And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 "Then you would head home and call up all your friends and neighbors: 'Come celebrate with me! I found my sheep that was lost!'" 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 to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 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.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
Study note
The most detailed parable in Luke tells of a younger son who demands his inheritance, wastes it in a far country, and ends up feeding pigs in a famine. Coming to his senses, he returns home planning to ask to be a hired servant. But his father sees him from a distance, runs to him, embraces him, and throws a lavish celebration. The older brother, furious at this generosity, refuses to join the feast. The father pleads with both sons -- assuring the older he has everything, yet insisting that celebrating the lost son's return is necessary. The parable is aimed at both sinners (the younger brother) and the self-righteous Pharisees (the older brother).
11 Then Jesus continued, "There was a man who had two sons." And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 "The younger son went to his father and said, 'Dad, give me my share of the family fortune now.' So the father divided everything between them." 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 "A few days later, the younger son packed up and moved to a faraway land. He wasted all his money on a wild lifestyle." 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 "After he had spent everything, a bad famine hit that land. He had nothing left at all." And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 "He was so desperate that he took a job working for a local farmer, who sent him out to his fields to slop the pigs." And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 "He was so hungry he would have eaten the slop he fed the pigs. But no one gave him a thing." And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 "Finally he came to his senses. He thought, 'My father's hired workers have more food than they can eat. And here I am starving to death!'" 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 am going back to my father. I will tell him, "Dad, I have sinned against God and against you."'" I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 "'"I do not deserve to be called your son anymore. Let me work as one of your hired hands."'" And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 "So he got up and headed home. He was still a long way down the road when his father spotted him. His father's heart broke with love, and he ran to meet his son. He threw his arms around him and kissed him." 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 "The son started his speech: 'Dad, I have sinned against God and against you. I do not deserve to be called your son anymore.'" 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 turned to his servants and said, 'Hurry! Get the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Slide a ring on his finger and bring out a pair of sandals for his feet.'" 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 "'Go get the best calf we have and prepare a feast. We are going to eat and celebrate!'" And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 "'Because this boy of mine was dead, but now he is alive again! He was lost, but now he is found!' And the party began." For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 "Meanwhile, the older son was working out in the fields. As he walked toward the house, he could hear music and people dancing." Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 "He grabbed one of the servants and asked, 'What is going on in there?'" And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 "The servant explained, 'Your brother came home! Your father prepared the best calf because he got him back safe and healthy.'" 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 "The older brother got so angry he refused to set foot in the house. So his father came outside to talk to him." And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him.
29 "The older son exploded: 'Look at this! Year after year I have worked for you like a slave and never once disobeyed you. But you never even gave me a small goat so I could throw a party with my friends.'" 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 "'Then this son of yours shows up -- the one who burned through your money on prostitutes -- and you go all out and butcher the prize calf for him!'" 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 "His father answered gently, 'Son, you have been here with me every day. Everything I own already belongs to you.'" And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 "'But how could we not celebrate and be happy? Your brother was as good as dead, but now he is alive. He was completely lost, but now he has been found.'" 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.