Luke 15:3

This parable. Another very similar parable (see Matt. 18:12-14) was given by Jesus upon another occasion and for a different purpose. It seems that during His Peraean ministry Jesus paid particular attention to the underprivileged and despised classes of society (see on Luke 14:21), and much of His teaching during this time was either directed to them or given concerning them. The parables of ch. 15 emphasize God’s care for those whom men often despise, His efforts to win their confidence, and His joy when they respond to His appeals.

It is important to note that the three parables present different aspects of the problem of sin and salvation, and that none is complete in itself. In each parable the lost is found and restored, and thus, in each case, Jesus justifies His attitude toward sinners and His efforts on their behalf. The first two are twin parables, and emphasize the trouble men take to recover lost property and their joy upon meeting with success. The first parable emphasizes the care of the shepherd, and hence the intrinsic value of a soul in the sight of God. The second parable illustrates the latter point in a different way. The third parable illustrates and emphasizes the process by which the lost finds his way back to God. Jesus often answered questionings or criticism by telling parables, as upon this occasion. For Jesus’ parable teaching and for principles of interpretation see pp. 203-207.