Luke 15:9

KJV

And when she hath found [it], she calleth [her] friends and [her] neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when she hath found {G2147} it, she calleth {G4779} her friends {G5384} and {G2532} her neighbours {G1069} together {G4779}, saying {G3004}, Rejoice {G4796} with me {G3427}; for {G3754} I have found {G2147} the piece {G1406} which {G3739} I had lost {G622}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And when she does find it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Come, celebrate with me, because I have found the drachma I lost.’

Berean Standard Bible

And when she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors to say, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost coin.’

American Standard Version

And when she hath found it, she calleth together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 15:9 captures the moment of profound joy and communal celebration experienced by a woman who has diligently searched for and finally recovered a lost silver coin. This verse is a pivotal point in Jesus's Parable of the Lost Coin, illustrating the immense value God places on every individual soul and the fervent rejoicing in heaven over a single sinner who repents and returns to Him. It underscores the divine heart that actively seeks the lost and celebrates their restoration with unbridled delight.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 15 presents a trilogy of parables—the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son—all told by Jesus in response to the grumbling of the Pharisees and scribes who criticized Him for welcoming and eating with "sinners" ([Luke 15:2](/luke/15-2 "Luke 15:2 - Pharisees' Grumbling")). The Parable of the Lost Coin, found in [Luke 15:8-10](/luke/15-8-10 "Luke 15:8-10 - The Parable of the Lost Coin"), serves as the middle narrative, reinforcing the themes introduced by the lost sheep and setting the stage for the more expansive story of the prodigal son. Each parable progressively highlights the value of the lost, the intensity of the search, and the magnitude of the celebration upon recovery, culminating in the lavish feast for the returning son. This verse specifically describes the climax of the coin's recovery and the immediate, public expression of joy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "piece" of silver mentioned in the KJV text refers to a drachma, a Greek silver coin equivalent to a Roman denarius, which was a typical day's wage for a laborer. For a peasant woman, ten such coins could represent a significant portion of her savings, possibly even a dowry or family inheritance, making its loss a serious financial setback and its recovery a cause for genuine relief and celebration. Homes in first-century Palestine were often small, dark, and had dirt floors, making it easy for a small coin to be lost and difficult to find, necessitating a thorough search involving a lamp and sweeping, as described in [Luke 15:8](/luke/15-8 "Luke 15:8 - The Woman's Diligent Search"). The act of calling "friends and neighbours together" speaks to the communal nature of ancient societies, where joy and sorrow were often shared experiences, and a public celebration would have been a natural and expected response to such a significant recovery within a close-knit community.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 15:9 powerfully contributes to the overarching themes of divine joy and the value of the lost. The woman's exuberant call to "Rejoice with me" directly mirrors the "joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth" declared in [Luke 15:10](/luke/15-10 "Luke 15:10 - Heavenly Joy Over Repentance"). This highlights God's passionate pursuit of those who are estranged from Him, underscoring that every individual soul is of immeasurable worth in His eyes, regardless of their perceived status or condition. The diligent search preceding this verse, coupled with the immediate and public celebration, emphasizes that the effort involved in seeking the lost is justified by the profound value of what is recovered, a theme consistently reinforced throughout [Luke chapter 15](/luke/15 "Luke 15 - Parables of the Lost").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **found (Greek, _heurískō'_):** This verb signifies "to find (literally or figuratively); to get, obtain, perceive, see." In the context of Luke 15:9, it denotes the successful outcome of a diligent search. The woman's "finding" is not accidental but the result of intentional effort, reflecting God's active and purposeful pursuit of the lost. The repetition of "I have found" emphasizes the certainty and personal nature of the discovery.
* **piece (Greek, _drachmḗ'_):** Referring to a "drachma or (silver) coin (as handled)," this word identifies the specific item that was lost and found. Its literal meaning highlights the tangible value of the coin, which, as a day's wage, was significant to the woman. Symbolically, it represents the individual sinner who, though seemingly small or insignificant in the grand scheme, holds immense value in the eyes of God.
* **Rejoice with (Greek, _synchaírō'_):** This compound verb, meaning "to sympathize in gladness, congratulate," captures the essence of shared joy. The woman's invitation for others to "rejoice with me" underscores the communal nature of the celebration. Theologically, it points to the corporate joy in heaven and among God's people when a lost soul is restored, reflecting God's desire for His creation to share in His delight.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when she hath found [it]":** This clause marks the successful conclusion of the diligent search described in the preceding verse. The "finding" is presented as a definitive and accomplished act, signifying the restoration of what was lost. It implies that the effort expended in seeking was not in vain, but culminated in a joyous discovery.
* **"she calleth [her] friends and [her] neighbours together":** Upon finding the coin, the woman's immediate impulse is to share her joy. This action highlights the communal aspect of celebration in ancient society. Her call is an invitation to participate in her happiness, demonstrating that the recovery of something precious is not a private matter but one to be shared and magnified through collective rejoicing.
* **"saying, Rejoice with me;":** This direct invitation is the heart of the woman's message. It's a plea for empathetic joy, asking others to share in her relief and happiness. The imperative "Rejoice" conveys the depth of her emotion and the significance of the event for her, setting the stage for the reason she provides.
* **"for I have found the piece which I had lost.":** This final clause provides the clear and simple reason for her jubilant call. The repetition of "I have found" emphasizes the personal nature of her discovery and the relief that accompanies the recovery of something deeply valued. The phrase "which I had lost" explicitly states the prior condition of separation and the subsequent restoration, underscoring the theme of recovery from a state of being lost.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 15:9, as part of the Parable of the Lost Coin, employs several powerful literary devices. **Symbolism** is central, where the woman represents God, the lost coin symbolizes a lost sinner, the diligent search signifies God's persistent pursuit, and the communal celebration embodies the heavenly joy over repentance. The **hyperbole** of calling together an entire community for a single, albeit valuable, coin underscores the immeasurable worth of a single soul in God's eyes, suggesting that no effort is too great and no celebration too grand for such a recovery. The **dialogue** ("Rejoice with me; for I have found...") brings the story to life, making the woman's joy palpable and inviting the listener to empathize with her relief and share in her celebration. Furthermore, the **contrast** between the grumbling of the Pharisees and the exuberant joy of the woman (and implicitly, of God) highlights the different perspectives on the value of the "lost."

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 15:9 profoundly reveals the character of God, portraying Him not as a distant judge, but as an active, compassionate seeker who delights in the restoration of His creation. The woman's intense joy over a single recovered coin serves as a powerful metaphor for God's immeasurable love and the divine ecstasy that erupts in heaven when one sinner repents. This verse underscores the biblical truth that every individual, regardless of their past or present state, holds infinite value in God's sight, inspiring His relentless pursuit and fervent celebration. It speaks to the heart of redemption, where what was once separated is brought back into fellowship, leading to profound joy both in heaven and on earth.

* [Luke 15:7](/luke/15-7 "Luke 15:7 - Joy Over One Sinner")
* [Zephaniah 3:17](/zephaniah/3-17 "Zephaniah 3:17 - The Lord Rejoices Over You")
* [Ezekiel 34:16](/ezekiel/34-16 "Ezekiel 34:16 - God Seeks the Lost")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The woman's unbridled joy in Luke 15:9 offers a profound mirror for our own spiritual lives and our role within the community of faith. It challenges us to evaluate how we perceive those who are "lost" – whether they are distant from God, struggling with sin, or have simply wandered away. Do we see them as invaluable, worthy of diligent pursuit and fervent celebration upon their return? This verse encourages believers to adopt God's heart for the lost, fostering a spirit of active evangelism and compassionate outreach. It also calls the church to be a place of genuine, communal rejoicing when a new soul comes to faith or a prodigal returns, mirroring the heavenly celebration. Furthermore, for those who feel lost or distant from God, this parable serves as a tender assurance: you are not forgotten, you are deeply valued, and God is actively seeking you, eager to celebrate your return with boundless joy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the woman's intense joy over the lost coin challenge my own perspective on the value of a single soul?**
* **In what ways can I, or my faith community, better reflect the "rejoice with me" attitude when someone comes to faith or returns to God?**
* **Considering the diligence of the woman's search, what practical steps can I take to participate more actively in seeking those who are spiritually lost in my own sphere of influence?**

### FAQ
**Why is the woman's joy so exaggerated for just one coin?**

Answer: The apparent exaggeration of the woman's joy for a single coin serves a crucial symbolic purpose within the parable. First, a drachma was equivalent to a day's wage, representing significant value, especially for a poor household where it might have been part of a dowry or family savings. Its loss would have been a genuine hardship. More importantly, the "exaggerated" joy is a deliberate literary device to highlight the immeasurable value God places on a single human soul. Just as the woman's relief and celebration are proportionate to the coin's value to her, God's joy over one repentant sinner is boundless because every individual is infinitely precious to Him. Jesus uses this relatable human experience to convey the profound, divine emotion described in [Luke 15:10](/luke/15-10 "Luke 15:10 - Joy in Heaven").

**What does the "lost piece" symbolize in this parable?**

Answer: In the Parable of the Lost Coin, the "lost piece" (drachma) symbolizes a lost sinner. Just as the coin was valuable to the woman and belonged in her possession, every individual is created by God, belongs to Him, and holds immense value in His eyes. The coin's state of being "lost" represents humanity's spiritual separation from God due to sin. The fact that the coin is inanimate and cannot return on its own underscores that God must actively seek out the lost, much like the woman diligently searched for her coin. The recovery of the coin, leading to celebration, symbolizes a sinner's repentance and restoration to a relationship with God, resulting in great joy in heaven, as emphasized in [Luke 15:7](/luke/15-7 "Luke 15:7 - Joy Over One Sinner").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 15:9, with its vivid portrayal of a woman's joy upon finding her lost coin, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the divine Seeker, perfectly embodying the diligent pursuit of the lost that the woman's search prefigures. Jesus declared His mission was "to seek and to save that which was lost" ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Luke 19:10 - Jesus Came to Seek the Lost")), a mission He accomplished not merely through searching, but through His sacrificial life, death, and resurrection. His willingness to lay down His life on the cross, as described in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World") and [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love"), was the ultimate act of "finding" humanity, redeeming us from our lost state. The communal rejoicing in Luke 15:9 foreshadows the profound joy in heaven over every sinner who repents and is brought into God's family, a joy initiated and made possible by Christ's redemptive work. Through His finished work, the lost are not merely found, but are reconciled, adopted, and welcomed into an eternal celebration that far surpasses the earthly joy of a recovered coin.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 15:6

And when he cometh home, he calleth together [his] friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

Luke 15:7

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.