What Is the Parable of the Lost Coin?
What Is the Parable of the Lost Coin? The Parable of the Lost Coin tells of a woman who searches diligently for one lost silver coin and rejoices with her neighbours when she finds it.
Key verse: Luke 15:8 (KJV)
The Parable of the Lost Coin tells of a woman who searches diligently for one lost silver coin and rejoices with her neighbours when she finds it.
The Parable of the Lost Coin tells of a woman who searches diligently for one lost silver coin and rejoices with her neighbours when she finds 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?" — Luke 15:8 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
In Luke 15:8-10, Jesus pairs the Lost Sheep with the Lost Coin. A woman has ten silver coins and loses one. She lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and searches carefully until she finds it. Then she calls her friends and neighbours to rejoice. Jesus applies it: 'Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.' The coin had value simply because it belonged to the woman — it did not earn its own rescue. In the same way, every sinner has value because he or she belongs to God. The parable emphasizes the diligent, active search of the Spirit and the heavenly celebration that greets every conversion.
Key Scripture References
"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?"
"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."
"Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Is the Parable of the Lost Sheep?
The Parable of the Lost Sheep tells how a shepherd leaves ninety-nine safe sheep to search for one that is lost, rejoicing when he finds it.
What Is the Parable of the Prodigal Son?
The Parable of the Prodigal Son is Jesus' story of a wayward son who demanded his inheritance, squandered it, and was welcomed home by his forgiving father.
What Is Repentance?
Repentance is a genuine change of mind and heart about sin, turning away from it and toward God.
What Is the Passion of Christ?
The Passion of Christ refers to the suffering, crucifixion, and death of Jesus — the events that secured salvation for all who believe.
What Is Palm Sunday?
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem one week before His resurrection, when crowds waved palm branches and cried 'Hosanna!'
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
What Is the Parable of the Lost Coin?
Sin & Salvation
What Is the Parable of the Prodigal Son?
Life of Jesus
What Is the Parable of the Good Samaritan?
Life of Jesus
The Parable of the Lost Coin
Luke 15:10 • Forgiveness & Grace
Parable of the Lost Coin Quiz
A woman, a candle, and a diligent search (Luke 15).
The Rich Man and Lazarus
Luke 16:19-31 • Parables of Jesus
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Luke. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Luke on day 294 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Is the Parable of the Lost Coin?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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