Luke 15:8
What does Luke 15:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 15:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 15:8 means
Jesus introduces a second parable, this time concerning a woman who loses one silver coin out of ten. This scenario, common in ancient households, underscores the intrinsic value of even a small possession. Her immediate and diligent search, involving lighting a lamp and sweeping thoroughly, highlights her determination to recover what is lost. It illustrates that even seemingly small things are precious and worth great effort to retrieve, mirroring God's persistent search for every individual.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Either 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?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Or what woman, having ten bits of silver, if one bit has gone from her hands, will not get a light, and go through her house, searching with care till she sees it?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Or what woman having ten drachms, if she may lose one drachm, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek carefully till that she may find?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Or what woman having ten groats, if she lose one groat, doth not light a candle and sweep the house and seek diligently until she find it?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Or, what woman having ten drachmas, if she lose one drachma, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek carefully till she find it?
Context
This verse introduces the parable of the lost coin, the second in the series. It shifts the setting from a shepherd and sheep to a woman and her household, broadening the relatable scenarios. This new perspective reinforces the theme of diligence in searching for what is lost, preparing the listener for another illustration of the value God places on that which is gone astray.
v.7I say unto you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance.
v.8This passage
v.9And when she hath found it, she calleth together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 2:17
and he came and preached peace to you that were far off, and peace to them that were nigh:
- John 10:16
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock, one shepherd.
- Ezekiel 34:12
As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered abroad, so will I seek out my sheep; and I will deliver them out of all places whither they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.
- Luke 19:10
For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which was lost.
- John 11:52
and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God that are scattered abroad.
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