New Testament Commentary - Luke 15

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 15 Jesus gives the parables of the lost sheep, of the piece of silver, and of the prodigal son.
1 THEN drew near unto him all the ^apublicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.		1^a D&C 128:20; 2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;
Parable of the Lost Sheep Jesus taught that he was sent unto the 'lost sheep of Israel' (Matthew 15:24). They of Judah understood themselves not to be lost, for they considered that they had come again and retained the kingdom. The lost of Israel are the Ten Tribes who are all together under the name and banner of Ephraim who is the same as Israel, having been given that name by Israel or Jacob, being named his firstborn son in the place of Reuben. Even when the Lord did visit the remnant of Joseph in the lands of the Americas (3 Nephi 15:12), Jesus did state to them that they were the lost sheep (3 Nephi 15:21) which he had told them of in the lands of Jerusalem that he must also visit (John 10:16, 3 Nephi 15:17). Thus the parables here may be looked upon as being those concerning 'the lost', that is the 'lost of Israel', who and which is Ephraim, Israel and his companions of the ten tribes, even the very kingdom of Israel. These are the lost sheep, the lost coin, the prodigal son of the following parables.
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 ^ain the wilderness, and go after that which is ^blost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.		1^a D&C 128:20; 2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;
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 ^ajoy shall be in heaven over one ^bsinner that ^crepenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.		1^a D&C 128:20; 2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;
Parable of the Ten Pieces of Silver
8 ¶ Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one ^apiece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 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 ^aangels of God over one ^bsinner that repenteth.		1^a D&C 128:20; 2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;
Parable of the Prodigal Son
11 ¶ And he said, A certain man had two sons^a: 12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of ^agoods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there ^awasted his ^bsubstance with ^criotous living.	11^a A certain man had two sons Now, according to the Prophet Nephi, the scriptures ought to be likened unto ourselves. And Nephi did liken them unto the seed of Joseph in many things. Likewise may this parable be likened unto the two sons of Israel, the two sons being Judah the older who presumed to have had stayed at home and became apparant heir to the Father's house, and Ephraim the young, the head of the Kingdom of Israel, who divided from Judah and departed being scattered and lost.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land^a; and he began to be in want. 15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he ^awould fain have filled his belly with the ^bhusks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.	14^a a mighty famine in that land This famine would be from the lack of the true word and religion of God.	1^a D&C 128:20; 2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;
17 And when he ^acame to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will ^aarise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have ^bsinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had ^acompassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more ^aworthy to be called thy ^bson.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, ^aSon, thou art ever with me, and ^ball that I have is thine. 32 It was ^ameet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.