Thematic Bible
Luke 15:1 (show verse)
One day a large number of tax collectors and other outcasts came to listen to Jesus.
Luke 15:2 (show verse)
Pharisees and teachers of the Law complained: This man welcomes sinners and even eats with them!
Luke 15:3 (show verse)
Then Jesus told them an illustration:
Luke 15:4 (show verse)
If you have a hundred sheep and lose one of them, what do you do? You leave the other ninety-nine sheep in the pasture and go looking for the one you lost until you find it.
Luke 15:5 (show verse)
When you find it you are happy. You carry it on your shoulders.
Luke 15:6 (show verse)
You bring it back home. You invite your friends and neighbors together to celebrate. You say, 'I am so happy I found my lost sheep.'
Luke 15:7 (show verse)
It is the same. I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine good people who do not need to repent.
Luke 15:8 (show verse)
Suppose a woman with ten silver coins loses one of them. What does she do? She lights a lamp and sweeps her house. She looks carefully everywhere until she finds it.
Luke 15:9 (show verse)
When she finds it she calls her friends and says let us celebrate. I am happy I found the lost coin.
Luke 15:10 (show verse)
I tell you, it is the same for the angels of God who rejoice over one sinner who repents.
Luke 15:11 (show verse)
Jesus said: A man had two sons.
Luke 15:12 (show verse)
The younger one said to him, Father I want my share of the property. He divided his property between his two sons.
Luke 15:13 (show verse)
In a short time the younger son sold his share of the property. He left home with the money and traveled to a far away country where he wasted his money in reckless living.
Luke 15:14 (show verse)
He spent everything! When a famine spread over that country he was left with nothing.
Luke 15:15 (show verse)
He went to work for a citizen of that country who sent him to his farm to take care of the pigs.
Luke 15:16 (show verse)
He wanted to eat the Carob bean pods the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything to eat.
Luke 15:17 (show verse)
Finally it dawned on him, my father's hired workers have more than they can eat and I am about to starve!
Luke 15:18 (show verse)
I will go to my father and say: 'Father I have sinned against God and against you.
Luke 15:19 (show verse)
I am not fit to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired workers.'
Luke 15:20 (show verse)
He went to his father. He was a long way from home when his father saw him. His heart filled with pity. He ran and threw his arms around his son and kissed him.
Luke 15:21 (show verse)
Father, the son said: 'I have sinned against God and against you. I am not fit to be called your son.'
Luke 15:22 (show verse)
The father called his servants. He said: 'Hurry and bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet.
Luke 15:23 (show verse)
Get the prize calf and kill it. Let us celebrate with a feast!
Luke 15:24 (show verse)
My son was dead. Now he is alive. He was lost. Now he has been found. The feasting began.'
Luke 15:25 (show verse)
The older son was out in the field. When he came close to the house he heard music and dancing.
Luke 15:26 (show verse)
He asked one of the servants what was happening?
Luke 15:27 (show verse)
Your brother returned home, the servant answered. Your father killed the prize calf because he has returned safely.
Luke 15:28 (show verse)
The older brother was so angry he would not enter the house. His father came out and begged him to come in.
Luke 15:29 (show verse)
He spoke to his father in anger. All these years I have worked like a slave for you. I have never disobeyed you. What have you given me? Not even a goat for me to have a feast with my friends!
Luke 15:30 (show verse)
This son of yours wasted all your property on prostitutes. When he comes home you kill the prize calf for him!
Luke 15:31 (show verse)
The father answered, My son, you are always here. And everything I have is yours!
Luke 15:32 (show verse)
We had to celebrate and be happy. Your brother was dead. Now he is alive! He was lost and now he has been found!'