Luke 15:6 (KJV)

What does Luke 15:6 mean?

Luke 15:6 describes a man joyfully calling his friends and neighbors together to celebrate because he has found his lost sheep. The verse shows the happiness and relief that comes from recovering something precious that was lost.

In this part of Jesus’ parable, the speaker is the shepherd who had lost one sheep out of a hundred. After searching and finding it, he returns home and invites others to share in his joy. The story is told to illustrate how valuable each individual is and how great the rejoicing is when someone who was lost is restored.

The Greek behind Luke 15:6

• "συγκαλεῖ" (synkalei, "calleth together") means to summon or invite people to gather. This word highlights that the shepherd’s joy is not private—he wants others to join in his celebration.
• "συγχάρητέ" (syncharēte, "Rejoice") is a call for shared joy, not just personal happiness. The Greek carries the sense of inviting others to actively participate in the celebration, not just observe it.
• "ἀπολωλός" (apolōlos, "lost") comes from a word meaning destroyed or perished, emphasizing the seriousness of the sheep’s situation before it was found. This underlines the relief and joy at its recovery.

Why Luke 15:6 matters

• Luke 15:6 clears up any idea that the shepherd’s concern was only for the group; instead, it shows the value placed on each individual, even one out of many.
• The verse emphasizes the communal nature of joy in restoration—finding the lost sheep is not just a private relief but a cause for shared celebration.
• This verse connects to the wider theme of Luke 15, where Jesus explains God’s joy over the return of those who have gone astray, setting up the deeper meaning of the parable.