Luke 15:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

NIV: In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

NASB: In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.'

CSB: I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents."

NLT: In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.'

KJV: Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

NKJV: Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Jesus finishes the second of three parables about lost things. Pharisees and their lawyers—scribes—are grumbling at Jesus. He has a warm relationship with those who abuse fellow Jews or have abandoned proper God-worship. The parable of the lost sheep addresses sinners who wandered away from God because of their foolishness (Luke 15:1–7).

This parable, the parable of the lost coin, speaks about those who wander off without recognizing it. A coin is unthinking. It can fall and roll away into a dark corner without conscious intent. But the woman who owns it values it, even though it is not worth a massive amount: just a day's wages. She lights a lamp and sweeps the whole house until she finds it. When she does, she invites her friends to celebrate with her (Luke 15:8–9). In the same way, God desires a relationship with those who don't know they've abandoned Him. When such a sinner repents, heaven, itself, rejoices.

The image of the celebration is suspenseful. In the parable of the lost sheep, the celebration was in heaven (Luke 15:7). Now, it is "before the angels." In the upcoming parable of the prodigal son, we learn that it is God, Himself, who rejoices when the sinner returns to Him (Luke 15:21–24).

Luke 15:8–10 continues Jesus' three parables about lost things, here speaking of a coin. In this analogy, the sinner is like a lost coin that doesn't know it needs rescuing. When the woman finds the coin, she invites her neighbors to celebrate with her, like how heaven rejoices when a sinner repents. The prior parable referred to those who leave God for foolish reasons (Luke 15:3–7); the last describes sinners who intentionally rebel against God (Luke 15:11–32). When any sinner repents and returns to his Father, God is eager to restore their relationship. These parables are unique to Luke's writing.

To answer criticisms that He associates with sinners, Jesus tells three parables. A shepherd leaves ninety-nine sheep to rescue a single lost member. A woman searches diligently to locate a lost coin. A father eagerly forgives his wayward son when the young man returns in humility and repentance. All these lead to celebration. In the same way, Jesus teaches that God cares about restoring those who have fallen, and we should mirror His joy whenever that happens.

Luke 15 contains three parables with the theme of something "lost." The lost sheep, coin, and son represent sinners who leave God foolishly, unknowingly, or rebelliously. God seeks the foolish and the ignorant and waits patiently for the rebel to return to Him in humble repentance. Next is a collection of teachings on the differences between worldly and kingdom living (Luke 16:1—17:10). After two more groups of a miracle, teachings on the kingdom, and teachings on salvation (Luke 17:11—19:27), Jesus will enter Jerusalem and prepare for the crucifixion.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.