Luke 15:4

Authorized King James Version

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Τίς
G5101
What
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
#2
ἄνθρωπος
G444
man
man-faced, i.e., a human being
#3
ἐξ
G1537
of
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#4
ὑμῶν
G5216
you
of (from or concerning) you
#5
ἔχων
G2192
having
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
#6
ἑκατὸν
G1540
an hundred
a hundred
#7
πρόβατα
G4263
sheep
something that walks forward (a quadruped), i.e., (specially), a sheep (literally or figuratively)
#8
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#9
ἀπολωλὸς
G622
he lose
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
#10
ἓν
G1520
one
one
#11
ἐξ
G1537
of
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#12
αὐτό
G846
it
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#13
οὐ
G3756
not
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#14
καταλείπει
G2641
doth
to leave down, i.e., behind; by implication, to abandon, have remaining
#15
τὰ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#16
ἐννενήκονταεννέα
G1768
the ninety and nine
ninety-nine
#17
ἐν
G1722
in
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#18
τῇ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#19
ἐρήμῳ
G2048
the wilderness
lonesome, i.e., (by implication) waste (usually as a noun, g5561 being implied)
#20
καὶ
G2532
and
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#21
πορεύεται
G4198
go
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
#22
ἐπὶ
G1909
after
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#23
τὸ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#24
ἀπολωλὸς
G622
he lose
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
#25
ἕως
G2193
until
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
#26
εὕρῃ
G2147
he find
to find (literally or figuratively)
#27
αὐτό
G846
it
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Luke Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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