Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Luke 15:8

"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?" — Luke 15:8 (ASV)

This parable is clearly linked to the preceding one. The “coins” are “drachmas,” each worth about a day’s wages (see NIV note). The mention of ten coins implies that they were all she had. “A lamp” was needed because the house would have had at best a few small windows or only a low doorway. She would “sweep” the hard earthen floor to find the coin by the sound of its clinking. As in v.6, the extent of the joy expressed is striking. Considering the neighborly feelings in a small village, such joy is understandable, especially if the coin represented a tenth of the woman’s savings. Jesus’ final comment reinforces that joy. This parable, like that of the lost sheep, justifies Jesus’ welcome of sinners (v.2).