Bible fact · Direct biblical statement
One lost sheep matters
In Jesus' parable a shepherd leaves ninety-nine sheep to search for one lost sheep, and rejoices when he finds it. Luke 15:3–7
Discover why
Jesus told the parable when Pharisees and scribes complained that he welcomed sinners: the shepherd goes after the lost sheep until he finds it, carries it home on his shoulders and calls his friends to rejoice. Luke 15:1–6
"There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance." Luke 15:7
Read the passage
Luke 15:3–7 WEB
3He told them this parable: 4“Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? 5When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
Test yourself
For children
Jesus told a story about a shepherd with 100 sheep. When one got lost, he searched until he found it and carried it home happily.