Grace and the Lost
4 parablesLuke 15 is a single literary unit, three parables told in sequence in response to the Pharisees' complaint that Jesus receives sinners and eats with them. The progression is deliberate: one lost among a hundred, one lost among ten, one son lost in a family of two. Each ends in celebration; each celebration is met, implicitly or explicitly, with the grumbling of those who stayed. The Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18) extends the logic to its demand: the one who has received forgiveness cannot withhold it.
"I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth." — Luke 15:7
Prodigal Son
Luke 15:11-32A man has two sons, and the younger asks for his inheritance early, which he wastes in a distant country. After falling into poverty, he returns home to seek forgiveness, and his father welcomes him back with a celebration. The elder son is upset by the celebration, but the father explains the importance of rejoicing over the return of the lost son.
Lost Sheep
Luke 15:1-7Jesus tells a parable about a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to find one that is lost. Upon finding it, he rejoices and invites others to celebrate with him, illustrating the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.
Lost Coin
Luke 15:8-10A woman with ten pieces of silver loses one and lights a candle, sweeps the house, and searches diligently until she finds it. Upon finding the lost coin, she calls her friends and neighbors to rejoice with her. Jesus explains that there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Unforgiving Servant
Matthew 18:21-35Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive a brother who sins against him, and Jesus replies with a parable. In the parable, a king forgives a servant's large debt, but that servant refuses to forgive a small debt owed by a fellow servant. The king punishes the unforgiving servant, illustrating the importance of forgiving others.