Matthew Henry Commentary Luke 15:1-10

"Now all the publicans and sinners were drawing near unto him to hear him. And both the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And he spake unto them this parable, saying, What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and his neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, [more] than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance. 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? 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. Even so, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." — Luke 15:1-10 (ASV)

The parable of the lost sheep is very applicable to the great work of man's redemption. The lost sheep represents the sinner as having departed from God, and exposed to certain ruin if not brought back to him, yet not desiring to return. Christ is earnest in bringing sinners home.

In the parable of the lost piece of silver, what is lost is one piece of small value compared with the rest. Yet the woman seeks diligently until she finds it. This represents the various means and methods God uses to bring lost souls home to himself, and the Saviour's joy on their return to him. How careful then should we be that our repentance is unto salvation!