King James Version

What Does Luke 19:10 Mean?

Luke 19:10 in the King James Version says “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Luke 19:10 · KJV

Salvation

Context

8

And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

9

And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

10

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

11

And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.

12

He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.

Read Luke 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. This verse is Jesus' mission statement, summarizing His incarnation's purpose. The phrase "the Son of man" (ho huios tou anthrōpou, ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου) is Jesus' favorite self-designation, occurring over 80 times in the Gospels. It combines messianic authority (from Daniel 7:13-14, where the Son of man receives an everlasting kingdom) with human identification—He is truly man, not merely divine apparition.

The verb "is come" (ēlthen, ἦλθεν) is aorist tense, indicating completed action at a specific point in time—the Incarnation. This affirms Jesus' pre-existence; He "came" from somewhere (heaven) to somewhere (earth). The dual purpose uses two infinitives: "to seek" (zētēsai, ζητῆσαι) and "to save" (sōsai, σῶσαι). Zēteō (ζητέω) means to search for, seek diligently, or pursue. God is the active seeker; sinners don't find God—He finds them (Romans 3:11). Sōzō (σῴζω) means to rescue, deliver, heal, or make whole. Salvation encompasses forgiveness, reconciliation, transformation, and eternal life.

The object is "that which was lost" (to apolōlos, τὸ ἀπολωλός)—a perfect participle of apollymi (ἀπόλλυμι) meaning to destroy, perish, or be utterly lost. The perfect tense indicates completed action with ongoing state—humanity is in a condition of lostness, unable to save itself. This summarizes the human condition apart from Christ: spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1), enslaved to sin (Romans 6:17), separated from God (Isaiah 59:2), and facing judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Jesus came to reverse this condition through His death and resurrection.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus spoke these words in response to criticism about dining with Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector (Luke 19:1-9). Tax collectors were despised as traitors and extortioners who collaborated with Rome and enriched themselves by collecting more than required. Zacchaeus represented the epitome of "lost"—morally compromised, socially ostracized, spiritually bankrupt. Jesus' choice to stay at his house scandalized the crowd, who "murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner" (verse 7).

Zacchaeus's conversion and restitution (verse 8)—giving half his goods to the poor and restoring fourfold what he had taken fraudulently—demonstrated genuine repentance. Jesus declared, "This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham" (verse 9). The phrase "son of Abraham" reclaims Zacchaeus's covenant identity, which his sinful life had forfeited in public perception. Jesus' mission statement (verse 10) justified His association with sinners and explained His entire ministry pattern.

This verse echoes Ezekiel 34:16, where God promises, "I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away." Jesus fulfills this divine promise, demonstrating that He possesses God's own prerogative and nature. Early Christian preaching emphasized this mission. Peter proclaimed that Jesus was "appointed" to bless people by "turning away every one of you from his iniquities" (Acts 3:26). Paul wrote that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15). The church's evangelistic mandate flows from Christ's seeking and saving mission.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding that Jesus came 'to seek' the lost challenge the idea that salvation depends on human searching for God?
  2. What does Jesus' mission statement reveal about the nature and extent of human lostness apart from divine intervention?
  3. How should Christ's example of seeking and saving the lost shape the church's mission, priorities, and methods?
  4. In what ways does this verse provide biblical justification for associating with 'sinners' and entering messy, morally compromised spaces?
  5. How does the phrase 'that which was lost' emphasize both the desperate condition of humanity and the comprehensive nature of salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 11 words
ἦλθεν1 of 11

“is come”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

γὰρ2 of 11

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ὁ3 of 11
G3588

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

υἱὸς4 of 11

“the Son”

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

τοῦ5 of 11
G3588

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

ἀνθρώπου6 of 11

“of man”

G444

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

ζητῆσαι7 of 11

“to seek”

G2212

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

καὶ8 of 11

“and”

G2532

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

σῶσαι9 of 11

“to save”

G4982

to save, i.e., deliver or protect (literally or figuratively)

τὸ10 of 11
G3588

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

ἀπολωλός11 of 11

“that which was 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 19:10 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 19:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 34:16Matthew 1:211 Timothy 1:13-16Luke 5:31-32Luke 15:4-7Matthew 9:12-13

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