Luke 15:4

15:4 “Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go look for the one that is lost until he finds it?

Luke 15:7

15:7 I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent.


tn Grk “What man.” The Greek word ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used here in a somewhat generic sense.

sn This individual with a hundred sheep is a shepherd of modest means, as flocks often had up to two hundred head of sheep.

tn Or “desert,” but here such a translation might suggest neglect of the 99 sheep left behind.

tn Grk “go after,” but in contemporary English the idiom “to look for” is used to express this.

sn Until he finds it. The parable pictures God’s pursuit of the sinner. On the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, see John 10:1-18.

sn There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. The pursuit of the sinner is a priority in spite of the presence of others who are doing well (see also Luke 5:32; 19:10). The theme of repentance, a major Lukan theme, is again emphasized.

tn Here δικαίοις (dikaioi") is an adjective functioning substantivally and has been translated “righteous people.”

tn Or “who do not need to repent”; Grk “who do not have need of repentance.”