Luke 15:18
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Luke 15:18
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
Chapter Context
Luke 15 is a historical gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of sacrifice, covenant, grace. Written during the late first century CE (c. 80-85 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Written when Christians needed to understand their place in the Roman world.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-32: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it illustrates divine judgment and mercy in response to human actions. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Luke and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Luke 15:18
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
Analysis
Jesus begins the second parable: '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?' (ἢ τίς γυνὴ δραχμὰς ἔχουσα δέκα, ἐὰν ἀπολέσῃ δραχμὴν μίαν, οὐχὶ ἅπτει λύχνον καὶ σαροῖ τὴν οἰκίαν καὶ ζητεῖ ἐπιμελῶς ἕως οὗ εὕρῃ;). The woman's diligent search—lighting a lamp (ἅπτει λύχνον), sweeping (σαροῖ), seeking carefully (ζητεῖ ἐπιμελῶς)—illustrates God's active pursuit of the lost. The coin (δραχμή, drachma, a day's wage) has significant value, and the woman expends effort disproportionate to the loss by human calculation. This reveals God's perspective: each person has infinite worth, justifying extraordinary effort in salvation.
Historical Context
In first-century Palestinian culture, a woman's ten silver coins might represent her entire dowry or life savings. Poor families lived in small, dark houses with dirt floors, making a lost coin difficult to find. The woman's methodical search and subsequent celebration with neighbors (v.9) would resonate with the audience's own experience of loss and recovery. That Jesus uses a woman as the main character (following the shepherd parable) demonstrates the gospel's inclusivity—God's seeking love transcends gender, ethnicity, and social status.
Reflection
- How does the woman's diligent, thorough search illustrate the comprehensive nature of God's work in salvation?
- What does Jesus' use of both male (shepherd) and female (woman) protagonists teach about gender equality in the gospel?
Word Studies
- Heaven: οὐρανός (Ouranos) G3772 - Heaven, sky
Cross-References
- Sin: Luke 15:21, 18:13, Psalms 25:11, Jeremiah 31:20, Matthew 3:6
- Parallel theme: Proverbs 23:13, Isaiah 63:16, Jeremiah 3:19, Lamentations 3:40, Matthew 6:14