Luke 15:1-32 King James Bible KJV

The Parable of the Lost Sheep, The Parable of the Lost Coin, The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Luke Chapter 15:1-32 King James Bible KJV. Luke Chapter 15 contains three parables that emphasize the theme of God’s love, mercy, and the joy of repentance. Each parable illustrates God’s desire to seek and save those who are lost. This chapter highlights the heart of God toward the lost, showing that no one is beyond the reach of His love and forgiveness.

• God’s Mercy: These parables show that God is merciful and desires to forgive, no matter how far someone has strayed.
• Joy in Repentance: There is great joy in heaven over a single sinner who repents. The value of each individual is immense in God’s eyes.
• Inclusivity of God’s Love: God’s love is not limited to those who appear righteous but extends to all, especially those who are lost.

Luke 15:1-32 King James Bible KJV
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The Parable of the Lost Sheep – verses 1–7
In this parable, a shepherd has 100 sheep, but when one goes missing, he leaves the 99 in the open country to search for the lost one. When he finds it, he rejoices, calling his friends and neighbors to celebrate. The lost sheep represents sinners who have strayed from God. The shepherd symbolizes God’s relentless love and pursuit of those who are lost. The joy in heaven over one sinner who repents reflects God’s deep love for each individual and His joy in their return to Him.

The Parable of the Lost Coin – verses 8–10
In this parable, a woman loses one of her ten silver coins. She lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and searches diligently until she finds it. When she does, she calls her friends and neighbors to celebrate with her. The lost coin symbolizes people who may not even realize they are lost or are unaware of their worth to God. The woman’s thorough search represents God’s diligence in seeking those who are lost, and the celebration reflects the joy in heaven when someone returns to God.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son – verses 11–32
This is the most famous parable in the chapter. A younger son asks his father for his inheritance, leaves home, and squanders it in reckless living. When he is broke and destitute, he decides to return to his father, hoping to be treated as a servant. Instead, his father runs to embrace him, reinstating him as his son and celebrating his return. Meanwhile, the older son, who has remained faithful, becomes resentful. The father explains that they must rejoice because the younger son, who was lost, has now been found.

In this parable the prodigal son represents those who turn away from God but later repent. The father’s response signifies God’s boundless mercy and eagerness to forgive and restore those who repent, regardless of how far they have strayed. The older son represents those who may struggle with self-righteousness or envy, highlighting that God’s grace is freely given and that He desires reconciliation with all His children.

Luke 15:1-32 King James Bible KJV

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.