Luke 15:7 kjv

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.

Luke 15:7 nkjv

I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

Luke 15:7 niv

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

Luke 15:7 esv

Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Luke 15:7 nlt

In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away!

Luke 15 verses

Luke 15 7 Meaning

Luke 15:7 communicates a profound truth about God's heart: the repentance of even one sinner causes immense joy in heaven, a joy greater than that for many who are considered already righteous or believe they have no need of repentance. It underscores the divine value of each lost soul and the celestial celebration accompanying spiritual turning.

Luke 15 7 Context

Luke 15:7 is the concluding verse of the Parable of the Lost Sheep, the first of three parables (lost sheep, lost coin, lost son) Jesus tells in Luke Chapter 15. The immediate context (Lk 15:1-2) shows tax collectors and "sinners" drawing near to Jesus to hear Him, while the Pharisees and scribes grumble about Jesus associating with and eating with such people. This verse, and indeed the entire chapter, serves as Jesus' defense and explanation of His ministry. He challenges the rigid, exclusive worldview of the religious elite who considered themselves righteous and distanced themselves from "sinners." Jesus reveals God's active pursuit and celebratory joy over the recovery of those whom the religious establishment deemed unworthy. It illustrates that God's compassion extends to all, particularly the outcast and marginalized.

Luke 15 7 Word analysis

• I tell you (λέγω, legō): An emphatic, authoritative declaration from Jesus. It signifies a profound truth being revealed, calling for attention and belief.
• that in the same way (οὕτως, houtōs): Links this statement directly back to the parable's conclusion, showing that the joy experienced by the shepherd over the found sheep has a heavenly, divine equivalent.
• there will be more rejoicing (πλείων χαρὰ ἔσται, pleion chara estai): Pleion means "more, greater in quantity/degree." Chara signifies intense joy, delight, and gladness. This highlights the unparalleled, overwhelming joy that occurs in the divine realm.
• in heaven (ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ, en tō ouranō): Refers to the divine sphere, God's dwelling place. This joy is not merely human but cosmic and involves God, angels (as Lk 15:10 clarifies), and heavenly beings. It is God's perspective and His heart's desire.
• over one sinner (ἐπὶ ἑνὶ ἁμαρτωλῷ, epi heni hamartolō): Hen means "one," emphasizing the value of a single individual. Hamartolō (from hamartanō) refers to one who has "missed the mark," an individual who has deviated from God's righteous standard. In the Jewish context, it often referred to those excluded from religious society due to their moral or ritual uncleanness.
• who repents (μετανοοῦντι, metanoounti): Metanoeo means "to change one's mind, to turn around, to have a change of heart leading to a change of behavior." It signifies a sincere transformation, a spiritual turning from sin towards God. It's not just regret but a decisive shift in allegiance and lifestyle.
• than over ninety-nine righteous persons (ἢ ἐπὶ ἐνενήκοντα ἐννέα δικαίοις, ē epi enenēkonta ennea dikaiois): Dikaiois refers to "righteous" or "just" persons. This is often interpreted with irony. Jesus likely refers to those who are self-righteous (like the Pharisees), who perceive no need for repentance, or perhaps those already in right relationship with God and thus not "lost." The emphasis is not on disvaluing existing faithfulness, but on God's focus and joy in recovery and restoration.
• who do not need to repent (οὐ χρείαν ἔχουσιν μετανοίας, ou chreian echousin metanoias): Reinforces the likely ironic interpretation. It points to individuals either genuinely in a right relationship with God and living accordingly, or, more probabaly in this context, those who, in their own estimation, are without sin and thus believe they have no need to turn from wrong to right. It highlights spiritual blindness to one's own shortcomings.

Words-group analysis:

• "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven": This phrase establishes the divine scope and immense nature of the joy. It emphasizes that the heavenly response to repentance is grander and more significant than any earthly celebration.
• "over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent": This contrast is the core of the verse. It underscores the unique joy associated with restoration. The shepherd's specific joy is for the one found sheep, not the ninety-nine already in the fold. It also challenges the common perception that God's favor is primarily on those who already adhere to laws, rather than on those who humble themselves and turn from sin. It subtly critiques the self-righteous attitude that sees no personal need for a deep change of heart.

Luke 15 7 Bonus section

The context of the "ninety-nine righteous" has been a significant point of theological discussion. While some interpretations suggest they literally represent those genuinely faithful and obedient, the overwhelming scholarly consensus, particularly given the audience and context of the grumbling Pharisees, is that this phrase is ironic. It's directed at those who are self-righteous and do not perceive their own need for repentance. These are people who, by their own standards or external religious observance, see themselves as righteous, thus creating a spiritual blindness that prevents them from recognizing their own need for God's transforming grace. The parables in Luke 15 collectively demonstrate God's proactive, tireless pursuit of the lost, a divine characteristic that stands in stark contrast to human judgmentalism and religious exclusivity. The "rejoicing in heaven" points to a heavenly economy of grace, where the finding of what was lost is a cause for supreme divine delight.

Luke 15 7 Commentary

Luke 15:7 acts as the divine interpretation and summation of the Parable of the Lost Sheep, a profound statement on the heart of God. Jesus directly addresses His critics, the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes, who scorned His association with sinners. This verse reveals that God's perspective is radically different from theirs. While human judgment might categorize and exclude, divine love relentlessly seeks and celebrates restoration. The "more rejoicing in heaven" signifies an overwhelming, celebratory delight among God and His angels when a person turns from a path of sin. This joy surpasses the appreciation for those already perceived as "in the fold" or who mistakenly believe themselves beyond the need for repentance. The focus on "one sinner who repents" highlights the infinite value God places on each individual soul and His deep pleasure in their turning towards Him. It’s a call for believers to mirror God’s joy and embrace those whom society or even the religious establishment might ostracize.

For practical usage, this verse encourages active evangelism and compassion for the lost. It reminds believers not to grow complacent in their faith, but to always maintain a humble, repentant spirit while also rejoicing wholeheartedly in the transformation of others. It teaches us to celebrate conversions, echoing the very joy of heaven.