Luke 15:6
What does Luke 15:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 15:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 15:6 means
Upon returning home, the shepherd shares his joy with friends and neighbors, inviting them to celebrate the recovery of his lost sheep. The emphasis here is on shared delight; the lost sheep's return is not a private matter but a communal reason for gladness. This communal celebration foreshadows the divine joy that occurs when a lost soul repents. It illustrates the extravagant nature of joy in heaven over restoration, far exceeding mere relief.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and his neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and his neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when he gets back to his house, he sends for his neighbours and friends, saying to them, Be glad with me, for I have got back my sheep which had gone away.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and having come to the house, he doth call together the friends and the neighbours, saying to them, Rejoice with me, because I found my sheep--the lost one.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And coming home, call together his friends and neighbours, saying to them: Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and being come to the house, calls together the friends and the neighbours, saying to them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.
Context
This verse brings the first parable to its joyous conclusion, illustrating the communal celebration that follows the recovery of the lost sheep. It reinforces the theme of rejoicing, setting up the direct application of the parable's meaning that will immediately follow. This shared joy will serve as a powerful metaphor for the heavenly rejoicing over a repenting sinner.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 15:14
Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:19
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his coming?
- Acts 15:3
They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
- Isaiah 66:10
Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn over her;
- John 3:29
He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, that standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is made full.
- Philippians 1:4
always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy,
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