Luke 15:1-7

The Lost Sheep

1 Now all the ¹tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him.

2 Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, "This man receives sinners and ²eats with them."

3 So He told them this parable, saying,

4 "³What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine * in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?

5 "When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6 "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'

7 "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine * righteous persons who need no repentance.

Cross References

• 1. Luke 5:29
• 2. Matthew 9:11
• 3. Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:4-7

Footnotes

• [a]. I.e. irreligious Jews
• [b]. Lit "wilderness"