Luke 15:8
“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's so striking here is the thoroughness of the search. It's not just a quick glance; she lights a lamp and sweeps the house, implying a detailed, meticulous effort. This isn't about passively hoping for the lost coin to turn up, but about actively and diligently engaging in the process until it's found.
This parable comes immediately after Jesus faced criticism from the religious leaders for welcoming and eating with "sinners." In response, Jesus tells two parables—this one about a lost coin and another about a lost sheep—to illustrate the great joy in heaven when someone lost is found. Both parables emphasize God's persistent and diligent search for those who are lost, highlighting His immense value for every individual.
What is a single coin really worth? In Jesus' parable, its value isn't just in its monetary worth, but in what it represents.
Jesus tells the story of a woman who loses one of ten silver coins (drachmas). While the total value might seem modest – perhaps around a dollar and a half in today's terms – the parable emphasizes its immense importance to the owner.
Losing something precious isn't just sad; it demands action. Jesus paints a vivid picture of the lengths one will go to find what's lost.
The parable doesn't just state the loss; it details the woman's zealous efforts to recover the coin:
This intense search mirrors God's relentless pursuit of humanity through Christ. It's not a passive hope, but an active, determined endeavor.
Understand the original words
drachmē · Greek Noun
A drachma, roughly equivalent to a day's wage; in this parable, it represents something of significant personal value that is precious to the owner.
zēteō · Greek Verb
An intensive, persistent, and intentional pursuit to locate or recover something valuable, often used to describe God’s active pursuit of the lost.
This parable was spoken directly in response to the religious elite's criticism of Jesus associating with 'sinners.' The lost coin represents a person who has strayed from God's care, and the diligent searching highlights God's active pursuit of those who are lost, even within the 'house' of Israel.
c. 1st century AD
Jewish Society Divided
During Jesus' time, Jewish society was often sharply divided between the religiously observant (Pharisees, scribes) and those seen as outcasts (publicans, sinners). This created social and spiritual divides.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus began his public ministry, teaching, healing, and drawing crowds. His inclusive approach, eating with 'sinners,' caused consternation among the religious elite.
c. AD 28— this verse
Pharisees and Scribes Murmur
The religious leaders openly criticized Jesus for associating with tax collectors and sinners, viewing it as a sign he was not from God.
c. AD 28
Jesus Teaches Parables of the Lost
In response to the criticism, Jesus told the parables of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8), and the Prodigal Son, illustrating God's seeking love for the lost.
This passage immediately precedes the parable of the lost coin and tells the parable of the lost sheep, illustrating the same core theme of joy over finding what was lost.
Matthew 18:10-14This passage presents a similar parable about a shepherd seeking a lost sheep, emphasizing that it is not God's will for any 'little one' to perish, mirroring the preciousness of the lost coin.
Proverbs 8:1-3The seeking woman in the parable can be seen as a reflection of Wisdom personified, which calls out and makes herself known, seeking those who are lost and have strayed from her path.
Isaiah 40:10-11This passage speaks of God's diligent and tender care in seeking out His people, like a shepherd gathering his flock, which beautifully echoes the determined search of the woman for her lost coin.
1 Peter 1:18-19This passage highlights the immense value of believers, redeemed not by perishable things but by the precious blood of Christ, which underscores why even a single 'coin' (soul) is so diligently sought.
vincentLuke 15:8: "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?"
Pieces of silver (δραχμὰς)Used by Luke only. A coin worth about eighteen cents, commonly with the image of an owl, a tortoise, or a head of Pallas. As a weight, 65.5 grains. A common weight in dispensing medicines and writing prescriptions. Wyc., transcribing the Greek word, dragmes. Tynd., grotes.
calvinLuke 15:1-10: "Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him."
- For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12. What think you? If a man shall have a hundred sheep, and one of them shall go astray, doth he not leave the ninety-nine, and go to the mountains, and seek that which had gone astray? 13. And if he happen to find it, verily, I say to you, he rejoiceth more on account of that sheep than on account of the ninety-nine which had gone astray. 14. So it…
What's so striking here is the thoroughness of the search. It's not just a quick glance; she lights a lamp and sweeps the house, implying a detailed, meticulous effort. This isn't about passively hoping for the lost coin to turn up, but about actively and diligently engaging in the process until it's found.
This parable comes immediately after Jesus faced criticism from the religious leaders for welcoming and eating with "sinners." In response, Jesus tells two parables—this one about a lost coin and another about a lost sheep—to illustrate the great joy in heaven when someone lost is found. Both parables emphasize God's persistent and diligent search for those who are lost, highlighting His immense value for every individual.
This parable comes immediately after Jesus faced criticism from the religious leaders for welcoming and eating with "sinners." In response, Jesus tells two parables—this one about a lost coin and another about a lost sheep—to illustrate the great joy in heaven when someone lost is found. Both parables emphasize God's persistent and diligent search for those who are lost, highlighting His immense value for every individual.
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Unlike the sheep lost in the wilderness, this coin is lost inside the house. What does this imply about where lost souls might be found?
A key difference in this parable is that the coin is lost within the woman's own home. This detail carries significant meaning:
"“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?" — What's so striking here is the thoroughness of the search. It's not just a quick glance; she lights a lamp and sweeps the house, implying a detailed, meticulous effort. This isn't about passively…
