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 15:8KJV
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Luke 15:8 (KJV)

What does Luke 15:8 mean?

Luke 15:8 describes a woman who owns ten silver coins and, after losing one, lights a lamp, sweeps her house, and searches carefully until she finds it. The verse uses this everyday situation to illustrate the determined effort someone makes to recover something valuable that has been lost.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a group that includes both religious leaders and ordinary people. He uses the image of a woman searching for a lost coin to help his listeners understand the value placed on what is lost and the lengths someone will go to recover it. This story is part of a series of parables in Luke 15, all focused on the theme of seeking and finding what was lost.

The Greek behind Luke 15:8

  • The word for "silver" is δραχμή (drachmē), which refers to a Greek coin roughly equal to a day's wage for a laborer. This detail highlights the real value of what was lost.
  • The verb ἐπιμελῶς (epimelōs), translated as "diligently," emphasizes careful, thorough searching, not just a casual glance. The woman’s effort is intentional and persistent.
  • The verb σαροῖ (saroī), "sweep," suggests a thorough cleaning, indicating she is willing to put in hard work to recover the coin, not just look in obvious places.

Why Luke 15:8 matters

  • Luke 15:8 helps clarify that the parable is not just about losing money but about the care and determination shown in recovering something precious.
  • The verse sets up a comparison to the other parables in the chapter, showing that God’s concern for the lost is active and persistent, not passive.
  • Understanding the cultural value of the coin and the woman’s actions helps modern readers appreciate the depth of the story’s message about worth and effort.

Where else these words appear

“silver” Greek G1406 · used in 2 verses

  • Luke 15:9 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.

“sweep” Greek G4563 · used in 3 verses

  • Matthew 12:44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
  • Luke 11:25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.

“light” Greek G681 · used in 4 verses

  • Luke 8:16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
  • Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
  • Luke 22:55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.

“till” Greek G3755 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
  • Luke 13:8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
  • Luke 22:18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.