Luk 15:4-7 | RWP | e4.org | In the wilderness ( εν τη ερημω ). Their usual pasturage, not a place of danger or peril. It is the owner of the hundred sheep who cares so much for the one that is lost. He knows each one of the sheep and loves each one. Go after that which is lost ( πορευετα επ το απολωλος ). The one lost sheep ( απολωλος , second perfect active participle of απολλυμ , to destroy, but intransitive, to be lost). There is nothing more helpless than a lost sheep except a lost sinner. The sheep went off by its own ignorance and folly. The use of επ for the goal occurs also in ; ; . Until he find it ( εως ευρη αυτο ). Second aorist active subjunctive of ευρισκω , common verb, with εως , common Greek idiom. He keeps on going ( πορευετα , linear present middle indicative) until success comes (effective aorist, ευρη ).

‏ Luke 15:4-7

In the wilderness ( εν τη ερημω ). Their usual pasturage, not a place of danger or peril. It is the owner of the hundred sheep who cares so much for the one that is lost. He knows each one of the sheep and loves each one.

Go after that which is lost ( πορευετα επ το απολωλος ). The one lost sheep ( απολωλος, second perfect active participle of απολλυμ, to destroy, but intransitive, to be lost). There is nothing more helpless than a lost sheep except a lost sinner. The sheep went off by its own ignorance and folly. The use of επ for the goal occurs also in Mt 22:9; Ac 8:26; 9:11.

Until he find it ( εως ευρη αυτο ). Second aorist active subjunctive of ευρισκω, common verb, with εως, common Greek idiom. He keeps on going ( πορευετα, linear present middle indicative) until success comes (effective aorist, ευρη ).

On his shoulders ( επ τους ωμους αυτου ). He does it himself in exuberant affection and of necessity as the poor lost sheep is helpless. Note the plural shoulders showing that the sheep was just back of the shepherd's neck and drawn around by both hands. The word for shoulder ( ωμος ) is old and common, but in the N.T. only here and Mt 23:4.

Rejoicing ( χαιρων ). "There is no upbraiding of the wandering sheep, nor murmuring at the trouble" (Plummer).

Rejoice with me ( συνχαρητε μο ). Second aorist passive of συνχαιρω, an old and common verb for mutual joy as in Php 2:17f. Joy demands fellowship. Same form in verse 9. So the shepherd

calls together ( συνκαλε, note συν again) both his friends and his neighbours. This picture of the Good Shepherd has captured the eye of many artists through the ages.

Over one sinner that repenteth ( επ εν αμαρτωλω μετανοουντ ). The word sinner points to verse 1. Repenting is what these sinners were doing, these lost sheep brought to the fold. The joy in heaven is in contrast with the grumbling Pharisees and scribes.

More than over ( η επ ). There is no comparative in the Greek. It is only implied by a common idiom like our "rather than."

Which need no repentance ( οιτινες ου χρειαν εχουσιν μετανοιας ). Jesus does not mean to say that the Pharisees and the scribes do not need repentance or are perfect. He for the sake of argument accepts their claims about themselves and by their own words condemns them for their criticism of his efforts to save the lost sheep. It is the same point that he made against them when they criticized Jesus and the disciples for being at Levi's feast (Lu 5:31f.). They posed as "righteous." Very well, then. That shuts their mouths on the point of Christ's saving the publicans and sinners.