Luke Chapter 15 · Verse 8
Either 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?
Original Language Analysis
τίς
what
G5101
τίς
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
2 of 23
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ἔχουσα
having
G2192
ἔχουσα
having
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
5 of 23
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ἐὰν
if
G1437
ἐὰν
if
Strong's:
G1437
Word #:
7 of 23
a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty
ἀπολέσῃ
she lose
G622
ἀπολέσῃ
she lose
Strong's:
G622
Word #:
8 of 23
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
ἅπτει
light
G681
ἅπτει
light
Strong's:
G681
Word #:
12 of 23
properly, to fasten to, i.e., (specially) to set on fire
λύχνον
a candle
G3088
λύχνον
a candle
Strong's:
G3088
Word #:
13 of 23
a portable lamp or other illuminator (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οἰκίαν
the house
G3614
οἰκίαν
the house
Strong's:
G3614
Word #:
17 of 23
properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ζητεῖ
seek
G2212
ζητεῖ
seek
Strong's:
G2212
Word #:
19 of 23
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
Cross References
Ezekiel 34:12As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.Luke 19:10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.John 10:16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.John 11:52And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
Historical Context
Poor Palestinian women often wore their wealth as coin jewelry, both for safekeeping and dowry display. Losing a coin from a ten-piece headband meant losing 10 percent of her assets and potentially dishonoring her marriage. Houses had packed-dirt floors and minimal lighting, making lost coins nearly impossible to find without systematic searching. The woman's diligence reflected not just financial need but social necessity. Jesus honors feminine experience as imaging divine pursuit.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's use of a woman's domestic experience challenge any notion that God relates to us only through masculine or public metaphors?
- What does the woman's methodical searching—lighting, sweeping, seeking diligently—teach about God's intentional pursuit of you?
- If you are the lost coin, how does it affect you to know God searches for you with the same intensity as someone seeking their life savings?
Analysis & Commentary
Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently (ἢ τίς γυνὴ δραχμὰς ἔχουσα δέκα, ἐὰν ἀπολέσῃ δραχμὴν μίαν, ē tis gynē drachmas echousa deka, ean apolesē drachmēn mian)—Jesus shifts to a feminine image, showing God's pursuing love through domestic life. The drachmē (δραχμή) was a silver coin worth a day's wages. Ten coins likely represented her life savings or bridal dowry worn as a headpiece.
The woman lights a lamp (ἅπτει λύχνον, haptei lychnon) because Palestinian peasant homes had small windows; sweeps (σαροῖ, saroi) thoroughly; and seeks diligently (ζητεῖ ἐπιμελῶς, zētei epimelōs) with focused attention. The adverb epimelōs (ἐπιμελῶς) means carefully, attentively—not casual searching but methodical intensity. This images God's meticulous care for each lost person.