Question 1

What does Luke 15:8 mean?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

The Greek behind Luke 15:8

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Why Luke 15:8 matters

Accepted Answer

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.

Luke 15:8 (KJV)