Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Lost Sheep?
10 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Lost Sheep in the Bible
Discover 8 powerful Bible verses about lost sheep. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential creation & nature topic.
Top 10 Verses About Lost Sheep
- 1Psalms 119:176
“I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.”
KJV - 2Isaiah 53:6
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. laid: Heb. made the iniquity of us all to meet on him”
KJV - 3Matthew 15:24
“But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
KJV - 4Matthew 18:12
“How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?”
KJV - 5Matthew 18:13
“And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you , he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.”
KJV - 6
- 7
- 8Luke 15:4
“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?”
KJV - 9Luke 15:8
“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”
KJV - 10
Subtopics of Lost Sheep
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Lost Sheep? (2 Verses)
“I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.”
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. laid: Heb. made the iniquity of us all to meet on him”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Lost Sheep? (8 Verses)
“But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
“How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?”
“And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you , he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.”
“Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.”
“And he spake this parable unto them, saying,”
“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?”
“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”
“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Lost Sheep
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about lost sheep. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about lost sheep and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about lost sheep is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on lost sheep needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about lost sheep with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about lost sheep, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Lost Sheep?
You have studied 10 verses about lost sheep. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.