All things bear record · Luke

Luke 15

4 witnesses of Christ here.

Friend of sinners

Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. Luke 15:1–2

His critics mean it as an insult, but it is a true testimony: Jesus receives sinners. The three parables that follow are His answer to why He does.

AttestedExplicitA pronoun that refers to Him

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • the same title in Matthew 11:19 — Critics call Him 'a friend of publicans and sinners.'

The Good Shepherd

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? Luke 15:4–7

Told in defense of His own welcome to sinners, the shepherd who searches until he finds the one sheep and carries it home on his shoulders is Jesus Himself. Heaven rejoices over each one He brings back.

AttestedProphecy or typeallegory_parable

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • the same title in John 10:11 — I am the good shepherd.
  • alludes to Ezekiel 34:11-16 — The Lord GOD Himself will search for His sheep and seek that which was lost.
  • alludes to Isaiah 40:11 — He shall feed his flock like a shepherd and carry the lambs in his bosom.
  • a parallel account in Matthew 18:12-14 — Matthew's telling of the lost sheep.
  • alluded to by D&C 18:10-13 — The worth of souls; the Redeemer suffered for all and His joy is great in the soul that repenteth.

The diligent Seeker of the lost

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? Luke 15:8–10

The woman who lights a candle and sweeps until she finds one coin pictures heaven's careful search for a single soul, the work Jesus says He came to do.

AttestedEchoallegory_parablethe Father or the Son

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • alluded to by Luke 19:10 — The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

The Father's welcome home

And he said, A certain man had two sons: Luke 15:11–32

The father is Heavenly Father, and Jesus tells the story to explain why He Himself receives sinners (15:2): the Father's running welcome is what His mission makes possible. The best robe and a son 'dead, and... alive again' picture the covering and new life that come through Christ's Atonement.

AttestedEchoallegory_parablethe Father or the Son

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • alludes to Isaiah 61:10 — He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.