Luke Chapter 15

At a Glance

  • Luke 15 is the heartbeat of God’s pursuit of the lost, comprising three parables—the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • Luke 15 sits within Luke’s emphasis on mercy, inclusion, and the cosmic reach of God’s salvation.
  • - God’s joyful pursuit of the lost.
  • - Repentance, forgiveness, and restoration.

LUKE CHAPTER 15

Chapter Overview

Luke 15 is the heartbeat of God’s pursuit of the lost, comprising three parables—the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son. Each narrative escalates the emotional force of mercy, joy, and restoration. The chapter opens with publicans and sinners gathering around Jesus, prompting the Pharisees to grumble that he welcomes and eats with sinners. In response, Jesus tells the parables in rapid succession to illustrate the exuberant, inclusive nature of God’s outreach. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine for one, the woman sweeps the house for one lost coin, and the father welcomes the younger son with open arms after a reckless departure. The underlying theology is that heaven rejoices over repentance, and God’s mercy is active, searching, and extravagant.

The Prodigal Son narrative deepens the theme: it portrays rebellion, failure, and the father’s unmerited grace—emphasizing repentance, restoration, and the elder brother’s struggle with entitlement and jealousy. Luke uses this parable to critique self-righteousness and to redefine “home” not as a place of status but as a relationship with the Father’s generosity. The chapter culminates with a public rebuke of the self-satisfied, inviting all to celebrate God’s mercy and inviting the audience to align themselves with the Father’s gracious heart.

Historical & Literary Context

Luke 15 sits within Luke’s emphasis on mercy, inclusion, and the cosmic reach of God’s salvation. The threefold pattern of seeking what’s lost echoes prophetic and wisdom traditions that emphasize repentance, restoration, and communal rejoicing. Luke’s audience includes sinners and marginalized persons who have historically been excluded, making the parables especially provocative. The Prodigal Son, in particular, resonates with themes of forgiveness, identity, and relational reconciliation, while the elder brother’s response provides a critique of moralizing religiosity.

Key Themes

- God’s joyful pursuit of the lost

- Repentance, forgiveness, and restoration

- Mercy over merit, inclusion over exclusion

- The dangers of pride and entitlement

- Reimagining home, family, and belonging in the Father’s embrace

Modern Application

Luke 15 invites contemporary readers to examine attitudes toward forgiveness, community, and belonging. It challenges churches to become spaces where the lost are welcomed and restored, not ostracized or policed by moralizing standards. The parables encourage listeners to celebrate repentance in others—an interruption of social hierarchies that privilege the righteous. For individuals, the prodigal journey invites humility, repentance, and gratitude for grace. The elder brother’s storyline warns against self-righteousness and bitterness, urging a heart shaped by the Father’s merciful posture.

- Luke 5:27-32 (calling of Levi and divine mercy for the outsider)

- Luke 7:36-50 (the forgiven woman and the Father’s mercy)

- Matthew 18:12-14 (parables of the lost sheep)

- 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 (reconciliation and new life)

Recommended Personas

- Jesus (to illuminate the longing for reconciliation)

- The Father (to articulate the nature of divine mercy)

- Mary Magdalene (as a responder to grace and restoration)

Chapter Text

1

Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

2

And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

3

And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

4

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5

And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6

And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

8

Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

9

And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

10

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

11

And he said, A certain man had two sons:

12

And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

13

And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

14

And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

15

And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

17

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19

And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21

And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22

But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23

And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24

For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

25

Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

26

And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

27

And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

28

And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

29

And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

30

But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

31

And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

32

It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Discuss This Chapter with Biblical Personas

Explore Luke Chapter 15 with Biblical figures who can provide unique perspectives grounded in Scripture.

Ask Apostle PaulAsk MosesAsk King DavidAsk Jesus Christ
← Luke 14Luke 16 →