Luke 15
Luke 15 is part of “Journey to Jerusalem” (9:51–19:27) in the outline of Luke.
Luke 15 summary
Evil manners, we say, beget good laws; so, in this chapter, the murmuring of the scribes and Pharisees at the grace of Christ, and the favour he showed to publicans and sinners, gave occasion for a more full discovery of that grace than perhaps otherwise we should have had in these three parables which we have in this chapter, the scope of all of which is the same, to show, not only what God had said and sworn in the Old Testament, that he had no pleasure in the death and ruin of sinners, but that he had great pleasure in their return and repentance, and rejoices in the gracious entertainment he gives them thereupon. Here is, I. The offence…
Read the full introduction
Evil manners, we say, beget good laws; so, in this chapter, the murmuring of the scribes and Pharisees at the grace of Christ, and the favour he showed to publicans and sinners, gave occasion for a more full discovery of that grace than perhaps otherwise we should have had in these three parables which we have in this chapter, the scope of all of which is the same, to show, not only what God had said and sworn in the Old Testament, that he had no pleasure in the death and ruin of sinners, but that he had great pleasure in their return and repentance, and rejoices in the gracious entertainment he gives them thereupon. Here is, I. The offence which the Pharisees took at Christ for conversing with heathen men and publicans, and preaching his gospel to them (Luk 15:1, Luk 15:2). II. His justifying himself in it, by the design and proper tendency of it, which with many had been the effect of it, and that was, the bringing of them to repent and reform their lives, than which there could not be a more pleasing and acceptable service done to God, which he shows in the parables, 1. Of the lost sheep that was brought home with joy (Luk 15:4-7). 2. Of the lost silver that was found with joy (Luk 15:8-10). 3. Of the lost son that had been a prodigal, but returned to his father's house, and was received with great joy, though his elder brother, like these scribes and Pharisees, was offended at it (v. 11-32).
Source: 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).
Key verses in Luke 15
Luke 15 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
1Then resorted vnto him all the Publicanes and sinners, to heare him. 2Therefore the Pharises and Scribes murmured, saying, Hee receiueth sinners, and eateth with them. 3Then spake hee this parable to them, saying, 4What man of you hauing an hundreth sheepe, if hee lose one of them, doeth not leaue ninetie and nine in the wildernesse, and goe after that which is lost, vntill he finde it? 5And when he hath found it, he laieth it on his shoulders with ioye. 6And when he commeth home, he calleth together his friendes and neighbours, saying vnto them, Reioyce with mee: for I haue founde my sheepe which was lost. 7I say vnto you, that likewise ioy shall be in heauen for one sinner that conuerteth, more then for ninetie and nine iust men, which neede none amendment of life.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8Either what woman hauing ten groates, if she lose one groate, doth not light a candle, and sweepe the house, and seeke diligently till shee finde it? 9And when shee hath found it, shee calleth her friendes, and neighbours, saying, Reioyce with me: for I haue found the groate which I had lost. 10Likewise I say vnto you, there is ioy in the presence of the Angels of God, for one sinner that conuerteth.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
11He sayde moreouer, A certaine man had two sonnes. 12And the yonger of them sayde to his father, Father, giue mee the portion of the goods that falleth to mee. So he deuided vnto them his substance. 13So not many daies after, when the yonger sonne had gathered all together, hee tooke his iourney into a farre countrey, and there hee wasted his goods with riotous liuing. 14Nowe when hee had spent all, there arose a great dearth throughout that land, and he began to be in necessitie. 15Then hee went and claue to a citizen of that conntrey, and hee sent him to his farme, to feede swine. 16And hee would faine haue filled his bellie with the huskes, that the swine ate: but no man gaue them him. 17Then he came to him selfe, and said, Howe many hired seruaunts at my fathers haue bread ynough, and I die for hunger? 18I wil rise and goe to my father, and say vnto him, Father, I haue sinned against heaue, and before thee, 19And am no more worthy to be called thy sonne: make me as one of thy hired seruants. 20So hee arose and came to his father, and when hee was yet a great way off, his father sawe him, and had compassion, and ranne and fell on his necke, and kissed him. 21And the sonne sayde vnto him, Father, I haue sinned against heauen, and before thee, and am no more worthie to be called thy sonne. 22Then the father said to his seruaunts, Bring foorth the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feete, 23And bring the fat calfe, and kill him, and let vs eate, and be merie: 24For this my sonne was dead, and is aliue againe: and he was lost, but he is found. And they began to be merie. 25Nowe the elder brother was in the fielde, and when he came and drewe neere to the house, he heard melodie, and dauncing, 26And called one of his seruaunts, and asked what those things meant. 27And hee sayde vnto him, Thy brother is come, and thy father hath killed the fatte calfe, because he hath receiued him safe and sound. 28Then he was angry, and would not goe in: therefore came his father out and entreated him. 29But he answered and said to his father, Loe, these many yeeres haue I done thee seruice, neither brake I at any time thy commadement, and yet thou neuer gauest mee a kidde that I might make merie with my friends. 30But when this thy sonne was come, which hath deuoured thy good with harlots, thou hast for his sake killed the fat calfe. 31And he said vnto him, Sonne, thou art euer with me, and al that I haue, is thine. It was meete that we shoulde make merie, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is aliue againe: and hee was lost, but he is found.