King James Version

What Does Luke 15:8 Mean?

Luke 15:8 in the King James Version says “Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and ... — study this verse from Luke chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? pieces: drachma, here translated a piece of silver, is the eighth part of an ounce, which cometh to seven pence halfpenny, and is equal to the Roman penny

Luke 15:8 · KJV


Context

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.

7

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.

8

Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? pieces: drachma, here translated a piece of silver, is the eighth part of an ounce, which cometh to seven pence halfpenny, and is equal to the Roman penny

9

And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

10

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently (ἢ τίς γυνὴ δραχμὰς ἔχουσα δέκα, ἐὰν ἀπολέσῃ δραχμὴν μίαν, ē tis gynē drachmas echousa deka, ean apolesē drachmēn mian)—Jesus shifts to a feminine image, showing God's pursuing love through domestic life. The drachmē (δραχμή) was a silver coin worth a day's wages. Ten coins likely represented her life savings or bridal dowry worn as a headpiece.

The woman lights a lamp (ἅπτει λύχνον, haptei lychnon) because Palestinian peasant homes had small windows; sweeps (σαροῖ, saroi) thoroughly; and seeks diligently (ζητεῖ ἐπιμελῶς, zētei epimelōs) with focused attention. The adverb epimelōs (ἐπιμελῶς) means carefully, attentively—not casual searching but methodical intensity. This images God's meticulous care for each lost person.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Poor Palestinian women often wore their wealth as coin jewelry, both for safekeeping and dowry display. Losing a coin from a ten-piece headband meant losing 10 percent of her assets and potentially dishonoring her marriage. Houses had packed-dirt floors and minimal lighting, making lost coins nearly impossible to find without systematic searching. The woman's diligence reflected not just financial need but social necessity. Jesus honors feminine experience as imaging divine pursuit.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's use of a woman's domestic experience challenge any notion that God relates to us only through masculine or public metaphors?
  2. What does the woman's methodical searching—lighting, sweeping, seeking diligently—teach about God's intentional pursuit of you?
  3. If you are the lost coin, how does it affect you to know God searches for you with the same intensity as someone seeking their life savings?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
1 of 23

Either

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

τίς2 of 23

what

G5101

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

γυνὴ3 of 23

woman

G1135

a woman; specially, a wife

δραχμὴν4 of 23

piece

G1406

a drachma or (silver) coin (as handled)

ἔχουσα5 of 23

having

G2192

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

δέκα6 of 23

ten

G1176

ten

ἐὰν7 of 23

if

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

ἀπολέσῃ8 of 23

she lose

G622

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

δραχμὴν9 of 23

piece

G1406

a drachma or (silver) coin (as handled)

μίαν10 of 23
G1520

one

οὐχὶ11 of 23

doth not

G3780

not indeed

ἅπτει12 of 23

light

G681

properly, to fasten to, i.e., (specially) to set on fire

λύχνον13 of 23

a candle

G3088

a portable lamp or other illuminator (literally or figuratively)

καὶ14 of 23

and

G2532

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

σαροῖ15 of 23

sweep

G4563

meaning a broom; to sweep

τὴν16 of 23
G3588

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

οἰκίαν17 of 23

the house

G3614

properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)

καὶ18 of 23

and

G2532

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

ζητεῖ19 of 23

seek

G2212

to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)

ἐπιμελῶς20 of 23

diligently

G1960

carefully

ἕως21 of 23

till

G2193

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

ὅτου22 of 23
G3755

during which same time, i.e., whilst

εὕρῃ23 of 23

she find

G2147

to find (literally or figuratively)


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 15:8 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 15:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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