- 1Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
- 2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
- 3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
- 4What 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?
- 5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
- 6And 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.
- 7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
- 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?
- 9And 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.
- 10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
- 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
- 12And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
- 13And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
- 14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
- 15And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
- 16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
- 17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
- 18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
- 19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
- 20And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
- 21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
- 22But 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:
- 23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
- 24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
- 25Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
- 26And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
- 27And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
- 28And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
- 29And 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:
- 30But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
- 31And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
- 32It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
KING JAMES VERSION
LUKE 15
Read the chapter, follow a linked verse, and continue into related Watchman 33 teaching.
CHAPTER VISUAL
Luke 15 — Lost and Found gathers the chapter’s central movement as Jesus’s identity, authority, mercy, and saving mission are revealed.
About this illustration
The illustration centers an aged father embraces his ragged returning son as servants bring a robe and the elder brother watches. Other events and teachings remain in the chapter text rather than being crowded into one scene.
Scripture basis: Luke 15:1–32King James Version · Standardized 1769 text with Strong’s numbering · Public domain outside the United Kingdom
EXPLORE THE MESSAGE
Related Watchman 33 Resources
Archaeological Evidence
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEArchaeological site
Third–fourth centuries AD
The Biblical Frescoes of the Catacomb of Priscilla
Third-century burial chambers on Rome's Via Salaria preserve layered Christian images of rescue, resurrection, prayer, shepherding, and biblical memory within an active funerary landscape.
Luke 15:3–7 · Matthew 12:38–41 · Daniel 3:19–27
ARCHAEOLOGY EVIDENCEManuscript
8th century
Codex Basilensis (GA 07)
Codex Basilensis (GA 07) is a 8th century Greek parchment codex preserving the four Gospels.
Matthew 5:1–16 · Mark 8:27–38 · Luke 15:11–32
Sermons
The Offense of the Older Brother
In “The Offense of the Older Brother,” Kelsey examines the part of Jesus’ prodigal-son parable that is often overlooked: the elder son who remained in his father’s house but resented the restoration of his brother. Working primarily from Luke 15, she argues that outward faithfulness can coexist with anger, comparison, self-righteousness, jealousy, and a graceless heart. The older brother’s refusal to celebrate reveals the danger of evaluating another believer’s restoration, blessing, healing, or calling through personal disappointment rather than the Father’s compassion.
Doctrine and DiscernmentChristian LivingChurch and Ministry
View sermon The Joy of Salvation
In “The Joy of Salvation,” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about faith, salvation, grace and mercy. Drawing especially from Psalm 16, Nehemiah 8, Nehemiah 18, Philippians 4, the teaching emphasizes that biblical faith trusts God’s character and acts upon His promises. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that salvation is presented as God’s work in Christ that produces a changed life and continuing faith.
Doctrine and DiscernmentSalvation and the GospelChristian LivingSpiritual Warfare
View sermon Take Up Your Cross
In “Take Up Your Cross,” Pastor Dean Odle presents a Scripture-centered message about faith, the cross and Christ’s blood, the condition of the church. Drawing especially from 2 Timothy 3:12, Luke 14:25, Luke 15, Revelation 3, the teaching emphasizes that biblical faith trusts God’s character and acts upon His promises. Odle connects that foundation with the conviction that Christ’s sacrifice and shed blood are presented as the foundation of redemption, forgiveness, and victory over sin.
Doctrine and DiscernmentSalvation and the GospelSpiritual Warfare
View sermon Showing 1–3 of 6 sermons