The Parable of the Lost Piece of Silver is one of the parables taught by Jesus Christ, recorded in the Gospel of Luke. This parable is part of a trilogy of parables in Luke 15, which also includes the Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Parable of the Prodigal Son. These parables collectively emphasize the joy in heaven over the repentance of sinners and the relentless pursuit of God to reclaim the lost.

Scriptural Context:

The Parable of the Lost Piece of Silver is found in Luke 15:8-10 :

"Or what woman who has ten silver coins and loses one of them does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Cultural and Historical Background:

In the cultural context of first-century Palestine, the ten silver coins, or drachmas, mentioned in the parable would have been of significant value. Each coin represented a day's wage for a laborer, and losing one would have been a considerable loss for a woman of modest means. The coins may have also held sentimental value, possibly being part of a dowry or a headdress, which would make the loss even more distressing.

The woman's diligent search, involving lighting a lamp and sweeping the house, reflects the typical construction of homes at the time, which were often dark and had dirt floors. The effort she expends in searching for the lost coin underscores its importance to her.

Theological Significance:

The parable illustrates the value God places on each individual soul. Just as the woman is determined to find her lost coin, God actively seeks out those who are lost in sin. The parable highlights the theme of repentance and the joy that accompanies the return of a sinner to God. The rejoicing of the woman with her friends and neighbors mirrors the heavenly celebration over one sinner who repents, emphasizing the communal aspect of joy in salvation.

The parable also serves as a critique of the religious leaders of the time, who often failed to recognize the worth of those they deemed sinners. Jesus uses this parable to challenge their attitudes and to reveal the inclusive nature of God's love and grace.

Application:

For believers, the Parable of the Lost Piece of Silver serves as a reminder of the importance of evangelism and the value of every soul. It encourages Christians to reflect God's love by seeking out the lost and rejoicing in their return to the faith. The parable also calls for self-examination, urging individuals to recognize their own need for repentance and the joy that comes from reconciliation with God.Luke 15:8-10
Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, does not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Christ Teaching by Parables
... thing we are taught in these parables is"CHRIST'S ... last chapter, when illustrating
the tenderness of Christ, as the ... But the parable of the lost piece of money ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/christ teaching by parables.htm

A Sort of Sorites, as the Logicians Call It, to Show that the ...
... the Logicians Call It, to Show that the Parables of the ... Have No Suitable Application
to the Christ of Marcion. ... after the lost sheep and the lost piece of silver ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xxxii a sort of sorites.htm

The Lost Silver Piece
... In these three parables the value of the lost article steadily ... To the Lord of love
a lost soul is very ... these times are in the treasury of Christ, stamped with ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the lost silver piece.htm

Chronological Table of the Life of Christ [From Andrews. ]
... Peter's confession that he is the Christ: the transfiguration ... and heals a man with
dropsy; parables of the ... supper, of the lost sheep, of the lost piece of silver ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/chronological table of the life.htm

The Lost Coin.
... seek and find the lost in those two parables both represent the same Seeker of lost
men, the Lord Jesus Christ. ... of inanimate matter; and when it is lost, it is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xxiii the lost coin.htm

'That which was Lost'
... He should put in the forefront of the parables this explanation of ... it was the law
of gravitation that lost it, and ... As Jesus Christ, so all things have a double ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/that which was lost.htm

The Last Journey from Galilee
... months of His ministry, many of Christ's parables were spoken ... beautiful parable of
the lost sheep Christ repeated ... farther, as He told of the lost piece of silver ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 53 the last journey.htm

Luke.
... Christ touched man at every point and is interested in him as man whether low and
vile or high ... 2. Eleven parables, peculiar to Luke. ... 6) The lost piece of silver ...
/.../gerberding/the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xxvi luke.htm

The Hidden Treasure.
... the investigator into a wrong track, and the meaning of the Master would thereby
have been lost. ... Even when Christ through these parables taught his ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/v the hidden treasure.htm

Christ Teaching Liberality
... we should attempt to mention all the parables which Jesus ... every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord ... or scattered over the ground, would all be lost. ...
/.../newton/the life of jesus christ for the young/christ teaching liberality.htm

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Mustard Seed? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Prodigal Son? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Sheep and Goats? | GotQuestions.org

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