The Parable of the Lost Coin is found in the Gospel of Luke, traditionally attributed to Luke the Evangelist. It is addressed to Theophilus and a broader Gentile audience. The passage narrates the story of a woman who loses one of her ten silver coins. She lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and searches diligently until she finds it. Upon finding the coin, she calls her friends and neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost." The passage ends with Jesus stating, "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."
The deeper meaning of this parable centers on the diligence and persistence of the woman's search for her lost coin, which reflects God's relentless pursuit of sinners. The emphasis is not solely on the joy of finding what was lost, but on the effort and determination involved in the search. This mirrors the divine pursuit of each individual, underscoring that every person holds value to God. The parable highlights the immense joy that accompanies the repentance of even one sinner, as illustrated by the phrase, "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God."