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]?
Either {G2228} what {G5101} woman {G1135} having {G2192} ten {G1176} pieces of silver {G1406}, if {G1437} she lose {G622} one {G3391} piece {G1406}, doth not {G3780} light {G681} a candle {G3088}, and {G2532} sweep {G4563} the house {G3614}, and {G2532} seek {G2212} diligently {G1960} till {G2193}{G3755} she find {G2147} it?
“Another example: what woman, if she has ten drachmas and loses one of these valuable coins, won’t light a lamp, sweep the house and search all over until she finds it?
Or what woman who has ten silver coins and loses one of them does not light a lamp, sweep her house, and search carefully until she finds it?
Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it?
-
Ezekiel 34:12
As 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 19:10
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. -
John 10:16
And 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 11:52
And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. -
Ephesians 2:17
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Luke 15:8 introduces the second of three parables Jesus tells to illustrate God's heart for the lost, following the Parable of the Lost Sheep and preceding the famous Parable of the Prodigal Son.
Context
Jesus shared this parable with Pharisees and scribes who were criticizing Him for welcoming and eating with tax collectors and "sinners" (Luke 15:2). Through this story, Jesus subtly rebukes their judgmental attitude and reveals the immense joy in heaven over a single sinner who repents, a theme central to the entire chapter.
Historical and Cultural Context
The "ten pieces of silver" (Greek: drachmē) likely represented a significant sum for a poor woman in ancient Judea, possibly even her dowry or a family's savings. Losing one coin was a serious financial setback, not just a minor inconvenience. Ancient homes were often small, dark, and had dirt floors, meaning that finding a small coin required considerable effort. The woman would indeed "light a candle" (as natural light was limited) and "sweep the house" meticulously, stirring up dust to reveal the coin, indicating a thorough and desperate search.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "seek diligently" translates the Greek word ekzēteō (ἐκζητέω), which implies a thorough, earnest, and persistent search. It's not a casual glance but an exhaustive effort, reflecting the depth of God's desire to find and restore those who are lost.
Practical Application
This parable encourages us to understand the profound value God places on every individual. It assures those who feel lost or distant from God that He is actively seeking them with great love and diligence. For believers, it serves as a powerful reminder to share in God's heart for the lost, participating in the work of seeking and celebrating those who come to repentance, knowing that such efforts bring heavenly rejoicing.