Luke 15:8
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Luke 15:8
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?
Chapter Context
Luke 15 is a historical gospel chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of mercy, worship, faith. 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 15:8
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?
Analysis
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.
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.
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?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Luke 19:10, Ezekiel 34:12, John 10:16, 11:52