King James Version

What Does Luke 15:4 Mean?

Luke 15:4 in the King James Version says “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, ... — study this verse from Luke chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

Luke 15:4 · KJV


Context

2

And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

3

And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

4

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5

And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6

And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness (τίς ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ὑμῶν ἔχων ἑκατὸν πρόβατα, tis anthrōpos ex hymōn echōn hekaton probata)—The rhetorical question assumes agreement: any shepherd would pursue the lost. Greek apollymi (ἀπόλλυμι, to lose/destroy) appears throughout these parables, emphasizing the peril of lostness. The ratio (99:1) shows the shepherd's disproportionate concern for the individual, not utilitarian calculation.

And go after that which is lost, until he find it (πορεύεται ἐπὶ τὸ ἀπολωλὸς ἕως εὕρῃ αὐτό, poreuetai epi to apolōlos heōs heurē auto)—The present tense 'goes' with 'until' (ἕως, heōs) indicates persistent seeking. This demolishes the common religious assumption that God waits passively for sinners to return. The shepherd takes initiative, abandons security, searches relentlessly. Jesus describes His own mission (Luke 19:10).

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Historical & Cultural Context

First-century Judean shepherds typically worked cooperatively, so leaving 99 in the wilderness didn't mean total abandonment—other shepherds would watch the flock. Sheep were valuable property; losing one represented significant economic loss. The wilderness (ἔρημος, erēmos) was dangerous terrain with predators and precipices. A shepherd's reputation depended on not losing sheep entrusted to him (cf. John 10:12-13). The good shepherd risked his safety for each animal, a lived parable of divine care.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the shepherd's active pursuit of the lost sheep challenge any notion that God passively waits for us to find Him?
  2. What does the 'until he find it' determination reveal about God's commitment to seeking you specifically when you wander?
  3. If the 99 represent the self-righteous and the 1 represents repentant sinners, what does this parable teach about God's priorities?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
Τίς1 of 27

What

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ἄνθρωπος2 of 27

man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἐξ3 of 27

of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

ὑμῶν4 of 27

you

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ἔχων5 of 27

having

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

ἑκατὸν6 of 27

an hundred

G1540

a hundred

πρόβατα7 of 27

sheep

G4263

something that walks forward (a quadruped), i.e., (specially), a sheep (literally or figuratively)

καὶ8 of 27

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀπολωλὸς9 of 27

he lose

G622

to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively

ἓν10 of 27

one

G1520

one

ἐξ11 of 27

of

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

αὐτό12 of 27

it

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

οὐ13 of 27

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

καταλείπει14 of 27

doth

G2641

to leave down, i.e., behind; by implication, to abandon, have remaining

τὰ15 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐννενήκονταεννέα16 of 27

the ninety and nine

G1768

ninety-nine

ἐν17 of 27

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ18 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐρήμῳ19 of 27

the wilderness

G2048

lonesome, i.e., (by implication) waste (usually as a noun, g5561 being implied)

καὶ20 of 27

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πορεύεται21 of 27

go

G4198

to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)

ἐπὶ22 of 27

after

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὸ23 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀπολωλὸς24 of 27

he lose

G622

to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively

ἕως25 of 27

until

G2193

a conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until (of time and place)

εὕρῃ26 of 27

he find

G2147

to find (literally or figuratively)

αὐτό27 of 27

it

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 15:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 15:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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