“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)
The parable highlights that finding a lost "piece of silver"—a coin stamped with the ruler's image—isn't just about recovering value, but about restoring something that bears divine likeness. This "sweeping" of the house implies a thorough, even disruptive, search within the community, suggesting that lost souls might be found even within God's own perceived "house."
“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)
This parable follows the story of the lost sheep and is told in response to the Pharisees grumbling about Jesus welcoming sinners. It highlights the immense value God places on every individual, particularly those who have strayed, by illustrating a woman's diligent and overjoyed search for a single lost coin. This search, happening within the confines of her home, emphasizes that even those lost within a familiar community are still intensely sought after.
What makes a single lost coin so valuable that a woman would turn her whole house upside down to find it? It’s not just about the material worth, but about what it represents.
In this parable, Jesus compares a lost soul to a single silver coin (a drachma). This wasn't an insignificant amount; for a woman, ten drachmas could represent a significant portion of her savings or a dowry.
More Than Just Money
Losing something valuable requires more than a casual glance. This parable paints a vivid picture of determined effort, highlighting the deliberate actions taken to recover what was lost.
The actions of the woman in the parable reveal a powerful truth about God's relentless pursuit of the lost:
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Intentional and Thorough Effort
This picture speaks to the active, purposeful way God seeks humanity, using His Word and Spirit to bring us back.
Finding something precious that was lost brings immense relief and celebration. This isn't just about reclaiming an object; it's about the restoration of something deeply valued.
The parable culminates in a powerful expression of joy. The woman doesn't just find the coin; she celebrates its recovery.
Heaven Rejoices
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.
The parable of the lost coin arises directly from Jesus' interactions with religious critics who disapproved of his association with 'sinners.' The detailed search for the lost coin, including lighting a lamp and sweeping, highlights the immense value God places on each individual soul and the active pursuit involved in their redemption.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus interacts with tax collectors and sinners
Jesus' ministry often involved associating with marginalized groups, including tax collectors and 'sinners,' which drew criticism from the religious elite.
Early 1st century AD
Pharisees and scribes criticize Jesus
The religious leaders, like the Pharisees and scribes, grumbled about Jesus welcoming and eating with people they considered sinful.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus tells parables of lost sheep and lost coin
In response to the criticism, Jesus shares the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin to illustrate God's heart for the lost and the joy in finding them.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus tells parable of lost son
Following the parables of lost things, Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son, further emphasizing God's redemptive love and forgiveness.
This passage immediately precedes the parable of the lost coin, presenting the similar parable of the lost sheep, highlighting the joy in heaven over one repentant sinner finding their way back.
Matthew 18:10-14Jesus echoes the theme of seeking the lost, this time focusing on the Father's will that not one of the 'little ones' should be lost, presenting a parallel to the diligent search for what is precious.
Ezekiel 34:11-16This Old Testament passage describes God as a shepherd who actively searches for His lost sheep, demonstrating the ancient roots of God's passionate pursuit of His people.
Proverbs 8:1-11Wisdom is personified as calling out and making herself known, similar to how the lost coin (representing humanity) is sought, emphasizing the value and accessibility of what is lost.
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…
The parable highlights that finding a lost "piece of silver"—a coin stamped with the ruler's image—isn't just about recovering value, but about restoring something that bears divine likeness. This "sweeping" of the house implies a thorough, even disruptive, search within the community, suggesting that lost souls might be found even within God's own perceived "house."
This parable follows the story of the lost sheep and is told in response to the Pharisees grumbling about Jesus welcoming sinners. It highlights the immense value God places on every individual, particularly those who have strayed, by illustrating a woman's diligent and overjoyed search for a single lost coin. This search, happening within the confines of her home, emphasizes that even those lost within a familiar community are still intensely sought after.
This parable follows the story of the lost sheep and is told in response to the Pharisees grumbling about Jesus welcoming sinners. It highlights the immense value God places on every individual, particularly those who have strayed, by illustrating a woman's diligent and overjoyed search for a single lost coin. This search, happening within the confines of her home, emphasizes that even those lost within a familiar community are still intensely sought after.
"“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?" — The parable highlights that finding a lost "piece of silver"—a coin stamped with the ruler's image—isn't just about recovering value, but about restoring something that bears divine likeness. This "s…
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Last reviewed October 2026