The Parable of the Lost Sheep is a parable told by Jesus in the New Testament of the Christian Bible.

Context

The parable of the Lost Sheep is the first of three parables Jesus told (as recounted in Luke 15) in response to the Pharisees and other religeous leaders accusation that Jesus "welcomes sinners and eats with them." This was no minor slur, but a way of challeging Jesus' character and authority to teach. Each of the next three parables deals with losing something precious and finding or rescuing it.

Overview

The story would be a common one to shepherds of the time. If a man lost a sheep, he would leave the others to look for it. When he had found it he would be very glad and rejoice with his friends. In this way the lost sheep becomes (temporarily) more important than all the others.

Interpetation

Jesus' own interpretation is that "there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent." This emphasis on the lost, the hurting, the disadvantaged and marginalized is seen throughout the Hebrew and Christian Bibles. While the Pharisees and religeous leaders were emphasizing the sentiments of Psalm 1:1 ("Blessed

Jesus likens a "sinner" to one who is lost. Finding him is more important that many who are not lost. In modern terms, we often see many men and women riskings their lives to try to save one person. The person in peril is at that moment more important than those who are not. If the "sinners" are people in peril, then it makes sense that Jesus spends more time with them. Thus Jesus turns the statement of the Pharisees on its head, changing it from an accusation to justification of his actions.

See also

• The parable of the Lost Coin
• The parable of the Lost Son, commonly known as the Prodigal Son