Meaning, commentary and cross references
Luke 15:10
“Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
NIV · New International Version
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
WEB · World English Bible
Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.”
What does Luke 15:10 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Luke 15:10
Likewise I say unto you,.... As before, in Luke 15:7 there is joy in the presence of the angels of God; who are the friends and neighbours of Christ: See Gill on Luke 15:6, over one sinner that repenteth; which they have knowledge of, either by immediate revelation from God, or by observation in the church where they attend: the reason of this joy is, because there is one rescued out of the hands of Satan and his angels, between whom and them, there is an implacable enmity; and because another subject is added to Christ's kingdom, and by which it is enlarged, the prosperity of which they greatly desire; and because another heir is born in that family, to which they belong, and they have…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Luke 15:1–10
The explication of these two parables is to the same purport (Luk 15:7, Luk 15:10): There is joy in heaven, joy in the presence of the angels of God, over one sinner that repenteth, as those publicans and sinners did, some of them at least (and, if but one of them did repent, Christ would reckon it worth his while), more than over a great number of just persons, who need no repentance. Observe, (1.) The repentance and conversion of sinners on earth are matter of joy and rejoicing in heaven. It is possible that the greatest sinners may be brought to repentance.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Luke 15:1–10
In like manner, I tell you, there will be joy in the presence of the angels of God over one repenting sinner. Matthew 18:11. For the Son of man cometh Christ now employs his own example in persuading his disciples to honor even weak and despised brethren; for he came down from heaven to save not them only, but even the dead who were lost It is in the highest degree unreasonable that we should disdainfully reject those whom the Son of God has so highly esteemed. And even if the weak labor under imperfections which may expose them to contempt, our pride is not on that account to be excused; for we ought to esteem them not for the value of their virtues, but for the sake of Christ; and he who…
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Luke 15:7–13 (WEB)
7I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance. 8“Or what woman, if she had ten drachma coins, if she lost one drachma coin, wouldn’t light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she found it? 9When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost!’ 10Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.” 11He said, “A certain man had two sons. 12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ So he divided his livelihood between them. 13Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and traveled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living.
Cross references
- Luke 15:7
I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
- Ezekiel 33:11
Tell them, ‘“As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why will you die, house of Israel?”’
- 2 Corinthians 7:10
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death.
- Ezekiel 18:23
Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked?” says the Lord GOD, “and not rather that he should return from his way, and live?
- Luke 13:5
I tell you, no, but, unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.”
- Ezekiel 18:32
For I have no pleasure in the death of him who dies,” says the Lord GOD. “Therefore turn yourselves, and live!
- Matthew 18:14
Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
- Acts 11:18
When they heard these things, they held their peace and glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!”