Luke 15:4
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?
Original Language Analysis
Τίς
What
G5101
Τίς
What
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
1 of 27
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ἐξ
of
G1537
ἐξ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
3 of 27
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
ἔχων
having
G2192
ἔχων
having
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
5 of 27
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
πρόβατα
sheep
G4263
πρόβατα
sheep
Strong's:
G4263
Word #:
7 of 27
something that walks forward (a quadruped), i.e., (specially), a sheep (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπολωλὸς
he lose
G622
ἀπολωλὸς
he lose
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
9 of 27
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
ἐξ
of
G1537
ἐξ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
11 of 27
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
αὐτό
it
G846
αὐτό
it
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 27
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
καταλείπει
doth
G2641
καταλείπει
doth
Strong's:
G2641
Word #:
14 of 27
to leave down, i.e., behind; by implication, to abandon, have remaining
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐρήμῳ
the wilderness
G2048
ἐρήμῳ
the wilderness
Strong's:
G2048
Word #:
19 of 27
lonesome, i.e., (by implication) waste (usually as a noun, g5561 being implied)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πορεύεται
go
G4198
πορεύεται
go
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
21 of 27
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
ἐπὶ
after
G1909
ἐπὶ
after
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
22 of 27
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπολωλὸς
he lose
G622
ἀπολωλὸς
he lose
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
24 of 27
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
ἕως
until
G2193
ἕως
until
Strong's:
G2193
Word #:
25 of 27
a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)
Cross References
Ezekiel 34:16I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.Luke 19:10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.1 Peter 2:25For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.Psalms 119:176I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.Ezekiel 34:31And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.Matthew 12:11And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?Isaiah 53:6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.Jeremiah 50:6My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.Luke 13:15The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?Romans 2:1Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
Historical Context
First-century Judean shepherds typically worked cooperatively, so leaving 99 in the wilderness didn't mean total abandonment—other shepherds would watch the flock. Sheep were valuable property; losing one represented significant economic loss. The wilderness (ἔρημος, erēmos) was dangerous terrain with predators and precipices. A shepherd's reputation depended on not losing sheep entrusted to him (cf. John 10:12-13). The good shepherd risked his safety for each animal, a lived parable of divine care.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the shepherd's active pursuit of the lost sheep challenge any notion that God passively waits for us to find Him?
- What does the 'until he find it' determination reveal about God's commitment to seeking you specifically when you wander?
- If the 99 represent the self-righteous and the 1 represents repentant sinners, what does this parable teach about God's priorities?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness (τίς ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ὑμῶν ἔχων ἑκατὸν πρόβατα, tis anthrōpos ex hymōn echōn hekaton probata)—The rhetorical question assumes agreement: any shepherd would pursue the lost. Greek apollymi (ἀπόλλυμι, to lose/destroy) appears throughout these parables, emphasizing the peril of lostness. The ratio (99:1) shows the shepherd's disproportionate concern for the individual, not utilitarian calculation.
And go after that which is lost, until he find it (πορεύεται ἐπὶ τὸ ἀπολωλὸς ἕως εὕρῃ αὐτό, poreuetai epi to apolōlos heōs heurē auto)—The present tense 'goes' with 'until' (ἕως, heōs) indicates persistent seeking. This demolishes the common religious assumption that God waits passively for sinners to return. The shepherd takes initiative, abandons security, searches relentlessly. Jesus describes His own mission (Luke 19:10).