King James Version

What Does Luke 15:9 Mean?

Luke 15:9 in the King James Version says “And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have fou...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Luke 15:9 · KJV

Context

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.

11

And he said, A certain man had two sons:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me (συγκαλεῖ τὰς φίλας καὶ γείτονας, synkalei tas philas kai geitonas)—The verbal and structural parallel to verse 6 is exact, emphasizing the unified message: finding the lost demands communal celebration. The imperative syncharēte (συγχάρητέ, rejoice together) repeats.

For I have found the piece which I had lost (ὅτι εὗρον τὴν δραχμὴν ἣν ἀπώλεσα, hoti heuron tēn drachmēn hēn apōlesa)—She doesn't say 'which fell' but 'which I lost,' accepting responsibility while celebrating recovery. The coin had no agency in being lost or found; it was passive throughout. This intensifies the parable's point: salvation is entirely God's initiative and work. The lost cannot save themselves; they can only be found by the seeking God. The woman's joy mirrors heaven's response to each repentant sinner (v.10).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Women's celebrations in first-century Palestine were gender-segregated. The woman calls her female friends and neighbors, creating an intimate communal rejoicing. This detail shows Jesus's awareness of and respect for women's social networks. The celebration over a found coin might seem excessive to modern readers, but for subsistence-level peasants, recovering 10 percent of one's wealth was genuinely significant. More importantly, Jesus dignifies domestic female experience as revelatory of divine character.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the coin's passivity—unable to seek, find, or return itself—illuminate the nature of grace as God's initiative rather than human achievement?
  2. What does the woman's communal celebration teach about the church's responsibility to rejoice publicly over conversions?
  3. In what ways have you experienced being 'found' as a passive recipient of God's diligent search rather than an active seeker who discovered God?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 17 words
καὶ1 of 17

“And”

G2532

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

εὗρον2 of 17

“I have found”

G2147

to find (literally or figuratively)

συγκαλεῖται3 of 17

“it she calleth”

G4779

to convoke

τὰς4 of 17
G3588

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

φίλας5 of 17

“her friends”

G5384

actively, fond, i.e., friendly (still as a noun, an associate, neighbor, etc.)

καὶ6 of 17

“And”

G2532

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

τὰς7 of 17
G3588

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

γείτονας8 of 17

“her neighbours”

G1069

a neighbour (as adjoining one's ground); by implication, a friend

λέγουσα9 of 17

“saying”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Συγχάρητέ10 of 17

“Rejoice”

G4796

to sympathize in gladness, congratulate

μοι11 of 17

“with me”

G3427

to me

ὅτι12 of 17

“for”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

εὗρον13 of 17

“I have found”

G2147

to find (literally or figuratively)

τὴν14 of 17
G3588

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

δραχμὴν15 of 17

“the piece”

G1406

a drachma or (silver) coin (as handled)

ἣν16 of 17

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἀπώλεσα17 of 17

“I had lost”

G622

to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), 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 15:9 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 15:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 15:6-7

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