Luke 15

Luke 15:1-7 - Parable of the lost sheep

• Luke 15:4 - Pharisees would have likely held a dim view of the Jewish shepherds because they would often be ceremonially unclean, either from caring for sick or dying animals or tending their flocks on the Sabbath.

Luke 15:8-10 - Parable of the lost coin

• Luke 15:8 - Like a shepherd (Luke 15:4), a woman would be a similarly discounted person to the Pharisees.

Luke 15:11-32 - Parable of the prodigal son

• Luke 15:13 - It’s interesting to note that the father does not try to stop the son from his foolish decisions. This parallels how God allows us free will even though it can take us away from Him.
• Luke 15:15 - For a Jewish boy, feeding swine would just about be the worst possible job.
• Luke 15:22-24 - The father restored his status immediately. There is no fussing, no probation period. See Ephesians 2:1-10.
• Luke 15:32 - The older brother did not understand this had to do with mercy and not merit.