Lukas 15:3-7

15:3 So ¹  Jesus ²  told them ³  this parable: ⁴  15:4 “Which one ⁵  of you, if he has a hundred ⁶  sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture ⁷  and go look for ⁸  the one that is lost until he finds it? ⁹  15:5 Then ¹⁰  when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 15:6 Returning ¹¹  home, he calls together ¹²  his ¹³  friends and neighbors, telling them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 15:7 I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner ¹⁴  who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people ¹⁵  who have no need to repent. ¹⁶ 

Lukas 15:17-20

15:17 But when he came to his senses ¹⁷  he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have food ¹⁸  enough to spare, but here I am dying from hunger! 15:18 I will get up and go to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned ¹⁹  against heaven ²⁰  and against ²¹  you. 15:19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me ²²  like one of your hired workers.”’ 15:20 So ²³  he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way from home ²⁴  his father saw him, and his heart went out to him; ²⁵  he ran and hugged ²⁶  his son ²⁷  and kissed him.

[15:3]  ¹ tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “so” to indicate that Jesus’ telling of the parable is in response to the complaints of the Pharisees and experts in the law.

[15:3]  ² tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[15:3]  ³ sn Them means at the minimum the parable is for the leadership, but probably also for those people Jesus accepted, but the leaders regarded as outcasts.

[15:3]  ⁴ tn Grk “parable, saying.” The participle λέγων (legwn) is redundant in contemporary English and has not been translated.

[15:4]  ⁵ tn Grk “What man.” The Greek word ἄνθρωπος (anqrwpo") is used here in a somewhat generic sense.

[15:4]  ⁶ sn This individual with a hundred sheep is a shepherd of modest means, as flocks often had up to two hundred head of sheep.

[15:4]  ⁷ tn Or “desert,” but here such a translation might suggest neglect of the 99 sheep left behind.

[15:4]  ⁸ tn Grk “go after,” but in contemporary English the idiom “to look for” is used to express this.

[15:4]  ⁹ sn Until he finds it. The parable pictures God’s pursuit of the sinner. On the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, see John 10:1-18.

[15:5]  ¹⁰ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.

[15:6]  ¹¹ tn Grk “And coming into his…” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

[15:6]  ¹² sn A touch of drama may be present, as the term calls together can mean a formal celebration (1 Kgs 1:9-10).

[15:6]  ¹³ tn Grk “the”; in context the article is used as a possessive pronoun (ExSyn 215). It occurs before “neighbors” as well (“his friends and his neighbors”) but has not been translated the second time because of English style.

[15:7]  ¹⁴ sn There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. The pursuit of the sinner is a priority in spite of the presence of others who are doing well (see also Luke 5:32; 19:10). The theme of repentance, a major Lukan theme, is again emphasized.

[15:7]  ¹⁵ tn Here δικαίοις (dikaioi") is an adjective functioning substantivally and has been translated “righteous people.”

[15:7]  ¹⁶ tn Or “who do not need to repent”; Grk “who do not have need of repentance.”

[15:17]  ¹⁷ tn Grk “came to himself” (an idiom).

[15:17]  ¹⁸ tn Grk “bread,” but used figuratively for food of any kind (L&N 5.1).

[15:18]  ¹⁹ sn In the confession “I have sinned” there is a recognition of wrong that pictures the penitent coming home and “being found.”

[15:18]  ²⁰ sn The phrase against heaven is a circumlocution for God.

[15:18]  ²¹ tn According to BDAG 342 s.v. ἐνωπιον 4.a, “in relation to ἁμαρτάνειν ἐ. τινος sin against someone Lk 15:18, 21 (cf. Jdth 5:17; 1 Km 7:6; 20:1).”

[15:19]  ²² tn Or “make me.” Here is a sign of total humility.

[15:20]  ²³ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate the result of the son’s decision to return home. Greek style often begins sentences or clauses with “and,” but English style generally does not.

[15:20]  ²⁴ tn Grk “a long way off from [home].” The word “home” is implied (L&N 85.16).

[15:20]  ²⁵ tn Or “felt great affection for him,” “felt great pity for him.”

[15:20]  sn The major figure of the parable, the forgiving father, represents God the Father and his compassionate response. God is ready with open arms to welcome the sinner who comes back to him.

[15:20]  ²⁶ tn Grk “he fell on his neck,” an idiom for showing special affection for someone by throwing one’s arms around them. The picture is of the father hanging on the son’s neck in welcome.

[15:20]  ²⁷ tn Grk “him”; the referent (the son) has been specified in the translation for clarity.