Luke 15:3 kjv

And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

Luke 15:3 nkjv

So He spoke this parable to them, saying:

Luke 15:3 niv

Then Jesus told them this parable:

Luke 15:3 esv

So he told them this parable:

Luke 15:3 nlt

So Jesus told them this story:

Luke 15 verses

Luke 15 3 Meaning

Luke 15:3 acts as the pivotal introduction to Jesus' profound teaching regarding the nature of God's love and desire for humanity's repentance. It signals the commencement of three linked parables – the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son – which collectively serve as Jesus' direct response and defense of His ministry of welcoming and associating with tax collectors and sinners, a practice which had drawn criticism from the Pharisees and scribes. This verse sets the stage for revealing the divine joy found in the recovery of that which was lost, fundamentally contrasting God's heart with the self-righteous judgments of the religious leaders.

Luke 15 3 Context

Luke 15:3 follows immediately after the crucial opening verses of the chapter, Luke 15:1-2, which set the stage for the entire discourse. In these verses, "tax collectors and sinners" were drawing near to Jesus to hear Him, while the "Pharisees and scribes" were grumbling amongst themselves, criticizing Jesus because "He receives sinners and eats with them." The act of eating together implied acceptance and fellowship, something the strict religious leaders found scandalous. For them, it compromised purity and holiness.

This verse thus functions as Jesus' direct, yet indirect, response to their judgmental murmurings. Instead of directly confronting their criticism, Jesus chooses to teach them by way of illustration, presenting profound truths through accessible stories. The historical and cultural context is vital: Pharisees represented a movement dedicated to scrupulous adherence to the Mosaic Law and oral traditions, seeking to create a holy people distinct from the unclean and the ungodly. Tax collectors were despised as collaborators with the Roman occupiers and known for extortion, while "sinners" often referred to those who disregarded religious law, making them outcasts in Jewish society. Jesus' inclusive ministry fundamentally challenged the religious establishment's definition of purity, righteousness, and the very nature of God's interaction with humanity. The parables introduced by this verse directly address these deeply held theological and social divides, showing that God's perspective on the lost differs radically from human prejudice.

Luke 15 3 Word analysis

• So (οὖν, oun): A conjunctive particle. It indicates a logical sequence or consequence, signifying that what follows is Jesus' immediate and direct response to the preceding grumbling and criticism of the Pharisees and scribes (Lk 15:1-2). It means, "in view of this" or "therefore."
• He (Αὐτὸς, Autos): Refers directly and explicitly to Jesus. The pronoun stands in a prominent position in the Greek sentence, subtly emphasizing Jesus' authority as the speaker and His deliberate choice to address the situation.
• told (εἶπεν, eīpen): The aorist indicative verb, meaning "he said" or "he spoke." It denotes a definitive, completed action in the past. Jesus didn't just ponder; He spoke out loud, delivering a specific message.
• them (πρὸς αὐτούς, pros autous): "To them" or "towards them." This plural pronoun refers to the entire mixed audience present, which included both the "tax collectors and sinners" eager to hear Him (Lk 15:1) and the grumbling "Pharisees and scribes" who criticized Him (Lk 15:2). The parables are thus addressed to both groups, though their intended impact might differ for each.
• this parable (τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην, tēn parabolēn tautēn):
  • "parable" (παραβολὴ, parabolē): From para (beside, alongside) and ballō (to throw or cast). It means "a placing alongside," indicating a comparison or juxtaposition. It refers to an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, used to illustrate a moral or spiritual truth. It’s a method of teaching by comparison, drawing on common experiences to convey profound spiritual realities.
  • "this" (ταύτην, tautēn): The demonstrative pronoun in the feminine accusative singular. It points to a specific parable, indicating that the following stories (the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son) are to be understood as a singular unit or interconnected teaching. It sets up the thematic unity of the subsequent narratives.
• saying (λέγων, legōn): The present participle, meaning "saying" or "as He was saying." It introduces the direct content of what Jesus "told" or spoke. It transitions directly into the specific illustration Jesus uses, emphasizing that the following parables are the embodiment of "this parable" previously mentioned.

Words-group analysis:

• "So He told them": This phrase establishes Jesus' intentional and authoritative act of teaching. "So" connects His words directly to the preceding context of accusation and grumbling, presenting His parables as a deliberate answer or explanation for His inclusive ministry. It shows Jesus is in control of the conversation, turning criticism into a teaching moment.
• "this parable, saying": This specific phrase highlights Jesus' chosen pedagogical method. "This parable" emphasizes the particular and united nature of the ensuing stories, indicating that they are not random tales but a single, coherent argument designed to communicate a core theological truth about God's character and joy. The addition of "saying" acts as a direct introduction to the narratives that follow, which immediately address the critics' misconceptions about His ministry.

Luke 15 3 Bonus section

• The parables initiated by Luke 15:3 are often collectively referred to as "The Parables of the Lost," underscoring their unified theme of searching for, finding, and rejoicing over that which was missing.
• This verse exemplifies Jesus' consistent method of responding to His critics not with defensive arguments or condemnations, but with illuminating truths conveyed through compelling narratives, allowing His listeners to discover the truth for themselves.
• The placement of this verse, immediately after the Pharisees' complaint, highlights Jesus' direct theological defense of His messianic mission: His welcoming of "sinners" is not a deviation from God's will but a manifestation of God's very nature.

Luke 15 3 Commentary

Luke 15:3 is the narrative pivot upon which Jesus' most well-known parables of redemption rest. It marks the shift from the Pharisees' legalistic grumbling to Jesus' compassionate elucidation of God's character. By introducing "this parable" (which unfolds as a set of three interrelated parables), Jesus strategically avoids a direct confrontation. Instead, He uses relatable, everyday scenarios—a lost sheep, a lost coin, a lost son—to reveal profound divine truths. The verse emphasizes that Jesus is not acting randomly, but with a deliberate intention to educate His varied audience about the heavenly perspective on "sinners" and God's overwhelming joy at their return. It underscores that God's grace extends even to those considered outcast, thereby challenging the narrow, exclusionary worldview of the religious elite. This foundational verse sets the stage for understanding salvation not as human achievement but as divine initiative and joyous recovery.