The parable of the lost sheep, 1-7; of the piece of silver, 8-10; of the prodigal son, 11-32.
1 Then all the tax collectors and sinners drew near to him to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."
3 And he spoke this parable to them, saying, 4 "What man of you having one hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after that which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.' 7 I say to you, that likewise, joy shall be in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
8 "Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she loses one piece, does not light a candle, sweep the house, and diligently seek until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and her neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost.' 10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
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 falls to me.' And he divided his living to them. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered everything together, took his journey into a far country, and wasted his substance there with riotous living. 14 And when he had spent everything, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in need. 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 willingly have filled his belly with the husks that the swine ate, and no man gave to him. 17 And when he came to himself, he said, 'How many hired servants of my father have bread enough to spare, and I am perishing with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father and say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 And am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants."' 20 And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, had compassion, ran and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring forth the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry. 24 For this son of mine 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 near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him in health.' 28 And he was angry and would not go in. Therefore, his father came out and entreated him. 29 And he, answering, said to his father, 'Behold, these many years I have served you and I have never transgressed your commandment, and yet you never gave me a kid so that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours had come, who has devoured your living with harlots, you have killed the fattened calf for him.' 31 And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me and all that I have is yours. 32 It was proper that we should make merry and be glad. For this brother of yours was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.'"
Matthew Henry Commentary - Luke, Chapter 15[➚]
[v.4-5] - Gospel Link: Matthew 18:12-13.