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Luke 15:3-24
New English Translation

3 So[a] Jesus[b] told them[c] this parable:[d] 4 “Which one[e] of you, if he has a hundred[f] sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture[g] and go look for[h] the one that is lost until he finds it?[i] 5 Then[j] when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 Returning[k] home, he calls together[l] his[m] friends and neighbors, telling them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner[n] who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people[o] who have no need to repent.[p]

8 “Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins[q] and loses[r] one of them,[s] does not light a lamp, sweep[t] the house, and search thoroughly until she finds it? 9 Then[u] when she has found it, she calls together her[v] friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice[w] with me, for I have found the coin[x] that I had lost.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels[y] over one sinner who repents.”

The Parable of the Compassionate Father

11 Then[z] Jesus[aa] said, “A man had two sons. 12 The[ab] younger of them said to his[ac] father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate[ad] that will belong[ae] to me.’ So[af] he divided his[ag] assets between them.[ah] 13 After[ai] a few days,[aj] the younger son gathered together all he had and left on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered[ak] his wealth[al] with a wild lifestyle. 14 Then[am] after he had spent everything, a severe famine took place in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and worked for[an] one of the citizens of that country, who[ao] sent him to his fields to feed pigs.[ap] 16 He[aq] was longing to eat[ar] the carob pods[as] the pigs were eating, but[at] no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to his senses[au] he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have food[av] enough to spare, but here I am dying from hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned[aw] against heaven[ax] and against[ay] you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me[az] like one of your hired workers.”’ 20 So[ba] he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way from home[bb] his father saw him, and his heart went out to him;[bc] he ran and hugged[bd] his son[be] and kissed him. 21 Then[bf] his son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven[bg] and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’[bh] 22 But the father said to his slaves,[bi] ‘Hurry! Bring the best robe,[bj] and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger[bk] and sandals[bl] on his feet! 23 Bring[bm] the fattened calf[bn] and kill it! Let us eat[bo] and celebrate, 24 because this son of mine was dead, and is alive again—he was lost and is found!’[bp] So[bq] they began to celebrate.

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Footnotes

  1. Luke 15:3 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate that Jesus’ telling of the parable is in response to the complaints of the Pharisees and experts in the law.
  2. Luke 15:3 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  3. Luke 15:3 sn Them means at the minimum the parable is for the leadership, but probably also for those people Jesus accepted, but the leaders regarded as outcasts.
  4. Luke 15:3 tn Grk “parable, saying.” The participle λέγων (legōn) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.
  5. Luke 15:4 tn Grk “What man.” The Greek word ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) is used here in a somewhat generic sense.
  6. Luke 15:4 sn This individual with a hundred sheep is a shepherd of modest means, as flocks often had up to two hundred head of sheep.
  7. Luke 15:4 tn Or “desert,” but here such a translation might suggest neglect of the 99 sheep left behind.
  8. Luke 15:4 tn Grk “go after,” but in contemporary English the idiom “to look for” is used to express this.
  9. Luke 15:4 sn Until he finds it. The parable pictures God’s pursuit of the sinner. On the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, see John 10:1-18.
  10. Luke 15:5 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
  11. Luke 15:6 tn Grk “And coming into his…” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  12. Luke 15:6 sn A touch of drama may be present, as the term calls together can mean a formal celebration (1 Kgs 1:9-10).
  13. Luke 15:6 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.
  14. Luke 15:7 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.
  15. Luke 15:7 tn Here δικαίοις (dikaiois) is an adjective functioning substantivally and has been translated “righteous people.”
  16. Luke 15:7 tn Or “who do not need to repent”; Grk “who do not have need of repentance.”
  17. Luke 15:8 sn This silver coin is a drachma, equal to a denarius, that is, a day’s pay for the average laborer.
  18. Luke 15:8 tn Grk “What woman who has ten silver coins, if she loses.” The initial participle ἔχουσα (echousa) has been translated as a finite verb parallel to ἀπολέσῃ (apolesē) in the conditional clause to improve the English style.
  19. Luke 15:8 tn Grk “one coin.”
  20. Luke 15:8 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.
  21. Luke 15:9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
  22. Luke 15:9 tn Grk “the”; in context the article is used as a possessive pronoun (ExSyn 215).
  23. Luke 15:9 sn Rejoice. Besides the theme of pursuing the lost, the other theme of the parable is the joy of finding them.
  24. Luke 15:9 tn Grk “drachma.”
  25. Luke 15:10 sn The whole of heaven is said to rejoice. Joy in the presence of God’s angels is a way of referring to God’s joy as well without having to name him explicitly. Contemporary Judaism tended to refer to God indirectly where possible out of reverence or respect for the divine name.
  26. Luke 15:11 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
  27. Luke 15:11 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  28. Luke 15:12 tn Grk “And the.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  29. Luke 15:12 tn Grk “the”; in context the article is used as a possessive pronoun (ExSyn 215).
  30. Luke 15:12 tn L&N 57.19 notes that in nonbiblical contexts in which the word οὐσία (ousia) occurs, it refers to considerable possessions or wealth, thus “estate.”
  31. Luke 15:12 tn L&N 57.3, “to belong to or come to belong to, with the possible implication of by right or by inheritance.”
  32. Luke 15:12 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate the father’s response to the younger son’s request.
  33. Luke 15:12 tn Grk “the”; in context the article is used as a possessive pronoun (ExSyn 215).
  34. Luke 15:12 sn He divided his assets between them. There was advice against doing this in the OT Apocrypha (Sir 33:20). The younger son would get half of what the older son received (Deut 21:17).
  35. Luke 15:13 tn Grk “And after.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  36. Luke 15:13 tn Grk “after not many days.”
  37. Luke 15:13 tn Or “wasted.” This verb is graphic; it means to scatter (L&N 57.151).
  38. Luke 15:13 tn Or “estate” (the same word has been translated “estate” in v. 12).
  39. Luke 15:14 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the sequence of events in the parable. Greek style often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” but English style generally does not.
  40. Luke 15:15 tn Grk “joined himself to” (in this case an idiom for beginning to work for someone).
  41. Luke 15:15 tn Grk “and he.” Here the conjunction καί (kai) and the personal pronoun have been translated by a relative pronoun to improve the English style.
  42. Luke 15:15 sn To a Jew, being sent to the field to feed pigs would be an insult, since pigs were considered unclean animals (Lev 11:7).
  43. Luke 15:16 tn Grk “And he.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
  44. Luke 15:16 tn Or “would gladly have eaten”; Grk “was longing to be filled with.”
  45. Luke 15:16 tn This term refers to the edible pods from a carob tree (BDAG 540 s.v. κεράτιον). They were bean-like in nature and were commonly used for fattening pigs, although they were also used for food by poor people (L&N 3.46).
  46. Luke 15:16 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
  47. Luke 15:17 tn Grk “came to himself” (an idiom).
  48. Luke 15:17 tn Grk “bread,” but used figuratively for food of any kind (L&N 5.1).
  49. Luke 15:18 sn In the confession “I have sinned” there is a recognition of wrong that pictures the penitent coming home and “being found.”
  50. Luke 15:18 sn The phrase against heaven is a circumlocution for God.
  51. Luke 15:18 tn According to BDAG 342 s.v. ἐνωπιον 4.a, “in relation to ἁμαρτάνειν ἐ. τινος sin against someone Lk 15:18, 21 (cp. Jdth 5:17; 1 Km 7:6; 20:1).”
  52. Luke 15:19 tn Or “make me.” Here is a sign of total humility.
  53. Luke 15:20 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the result of the son’s decision to return home. Greek style often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” but English style generally does not.
  54. Luke 15:20 tn Grk “a long way off from [home].” The word “home” is implied (L&N 85.16).
  55. Luke 15:20 tn Or “felt great affection for him,” “felt great pity for him.”sn The major figure of the parable, the forgiving father, represents God the Father and his compassionate response. God is ready with open arms to welcome the sinner who comes back to him.
  56. Luke 15:20 tn Grk “he fell on his neck,” an idiom for showing special affection for someone by throwing one’s arms around them. The picture is of the father hanging on the son’s neck in welcome.
  57. Luke 15:20 tn Grk “him”; the referent (the son) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  58. Luke 15:21 tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
  59. Luke 15:21 sn The phrase against heaven is a circumlocution for God. 1st century Judaism tended to minimize use of the divine name out of reverence.
  60. Luke 15:21 sn The younger son launches into his confession just as he had planned. See vv. 18-19.
  61. Luke 15:22 tn See the note on the word “slave” in 7:2.
  62. Luke 15:22 sn With the instructions Hurry! Bring the best robe, there is a total acceptance of the younger son back into the home.
  63. Luke 15:22 tn Grk “hand,” but χείρ (cheir) can refer to either the whole hand or any relevant part of it (L&N 8.30).
  64. Luke 15:22 sn The need for sandals underlines the younger son’s previous destitution, because he was barefoot.
  65. Luke 15:23 tn Grk “And bring.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
  66. Luke 15:23 tn Or “the prize calf” (L&N 65.8). See also L&N 44.2, “grain-fattened.” Such a calf was usually reserved for religious celebrations.
  67. Luke 15:23 tn The participle φαγόντες (phagontes) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
  68. Luke 15:24 sn This statement links the parable to the theme of 15:6, 9.
  69. Luke 15:24 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the result of the father’s remarks in the preceding verses.
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