Luke 15:6-8

15:6 Returning home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, telling them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 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.

15:8 “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep 10  the house, and search thoroughly until she finds it?


tn Grk “And coming into his…” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

sn A touch of drama may be present, as the term calls together can mean a formal celebration (1 Kgs 1:9-10).

tn Grk “the”; in context the article is used as a possessive pronoun (ExSyn 215). It occurs before “neighbors” as well (“his friends and his neighbors”) but has not been translated the second time because of English style.

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.”

sn This silver coin is a drachma, equal to a denarius, that is, a day’s pay for the average laborer.

tn Grk “What woman who has ten silver coins, if she loses.” The initial participle ἔχουσα (ecousa) has been translated as a finite verb parallel to ἀπολέσῃ (apolesh) in the conditional clause to improve the English style.

tn Grk “one coin.”

10 tn Grk “and sweep,” but καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.