New International VersionI tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
New Living TranslationIn the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
English Standard VersionJust so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Berean Standard BibleI tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.
Berean Literal BibleI say to you that in the same way there will be joy in heaven over one sinner repenting, rather than over ninety nine righteous ones who have no need of repentance.
King James BibleI say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
New King James VersionI say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
New American Standard BibleI tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.
NASB 1995“I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
NASB 1977“I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Legacy Standard BibleI tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Amplified BibleI tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.
Christian Standard BibleI tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance.
Holman Christian Standard BibleI tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don’t need repentance.
American Standard VersionI say unto you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance.
Contemporary English VersionJesus said, "In the same way there is more happiness in heaven because of one sinner who turns to God than over 99 good people who don't need to."
English Revised VersionI say unto you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons, which need no repentance.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationI can guarantee that there will be more happiness in heaven over one person who turns to God and changes the way he thinks and acts than over 99 people who already have turned to God and have his approval."
Good News TranslationIn the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine respectable people who do not need to repent.
International Standard VersionIn the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don't need to repent."
NET BibleI tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent.
New Heart English BibleI 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.
Webster's Bible TranslationI say to you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, who need no repentance.
Weymouth New TestamentI tell you that in the same way there will be rejoicing in Heaven over one repentant sinner--more rejoicing than over ninety-nine blameless persons who have no need of repentance. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleI tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.
World English BibleI 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. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionI say to you that [more] joy will be in Heaven over one sinner converting, rather than over ninety-nine righteous men who have no need of conversion.
Berean Literal BibleI say to you that in the same way there will be joy in heaven over one sinner repenting, rather than over ninety nine righteous ones who have no need of repentance.
Young's Literal Translation 'I say to you, that so joy shall be in the heaven over one sinner reforming, rather than over ninety-nine righteous men, who have no need of reformation.
Smith's Literal TranslationI say to you, that so shall joy be in heaven over one sinful repenting, more than over ninety-nine just, which have no need of repentance. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleI say to you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven upon one sinner that doth penance, more than upon ninety-nine just who need not penance.
Catholic Public Domain VersionI say to you, that there will be so much more joy in heaven over one sinner repenting, than over the ninety-nine just, who do not need to repent.
New American BibleI tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.
New Revised Standard VersionJust so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleI say to you, that such will be the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety and nine righteous, who need no repentance.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English“I say to you that there shall be joy like this in Heaven over one sinner who returns home, more than over ninety nine righteous ones who do not need a homecoming.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentI say to you, That thus there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety-nine just persons, who need no repentance.
Godbey New Testament
I say unto you that so there will be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, rather than ninety and nine just persons who have not need of repentance.
Haweis New Testament
I tell you, that just so will there be joy in heaven over one repentant sinner, more than over ninety-nine righteous persons, who hold not their need of repentance.
Mace New Testament
I tell you, that there shall likewise be greater joy in heaven for one sinner that repents, than for ninety nine just persons, that need no repentance.
Weymouth New Testament
I tell you that in the same way there will be rejoicing in Heaven over one repentant sinner--more rejoicing than over ninety-nine blameless persons who have no need of repentance.
Worrell New Testament
I say to you, that so there will be joy in Heaven over one sinner that repents,more than over ninety-nine righteous men who have no need of repentance.
Worsley New Testament
Thus, I tell you, there shall be joy in heaven over one repenting sinner, more than over ninety-nine righteouspersons, that have no need of repentance.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Parable of the Lost Sheep… 6comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’ 7In the same way,I tellyouthatthere will be morejoyinheavenoveronesinnerwho repentsthanoverninety-ninerighteous oneswhodonotneedto repent.8Or what woman who has ten silver coins and loses one of them does not light a lamp, sweep her house, and search carefully until she finds it?…
Cross References Matthew 18:12-14What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? / And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. / In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
Ezekiel 18:23Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?
Ezekiel 33:11Say to them: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’
1 Timothy 1:15This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.
2 Peter 3:9The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
Isaiah 53:6We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.
Matthew 9:13But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Romans 5:8But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 3:16-17For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. / For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
Isaiah 55:7Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
Acts 3:19Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,
Romans 2:4Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?
Psalm 51:17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
Isaiah 1:18“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.
1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Treasury of Scripture I say to you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. joy. Luke 15:32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. Luke 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Matthew 18:13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of thatsheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. which. Luke 15:29 And he answering said tohis father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. Luke 18:9-11 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: … Jump to Previous ChangeGoodHeartHeavenJoyLikewiseNeedNineNinetyNinety-NinePersonsRejoicingRepentanceRepentantRepentethRepentingRepentsRighteousSinnerTurnedWayWrongdoingJump to Next ChangeGoodHeartHeavenJoyLikewiseNeedNineNinetyNinety-NinePersonsRejoicingRepentanceRepentantRepentethRepentingRepentsRighteousSinnerTurnedWayWrongdoingLuke 15 1.The parable of the lost sheep;8.of the piece of silver;11.of the prodigal son.I tell you that in the same wayThis phrase introduces a comparison, emphasizing the certainty and authority of Jesus' statement. Jesus often used parables and direct statements to convey spiritual truths, and here He is drawing a parallel to the preceding parable of the lost sheep. The phrase underscores the importance of the message that follows, highlighting the divine perspective on repentance and salvation. there will be more joy in heaven
The concept of joy in heaven reflects the heavenly realm's values and priorities. In Jewish thought, heaven is the dwelling place of God and His angels, and joy signifies approval and celebration. This joy is not just a human emotion but a divine response, indicating the importance of repentance in God's eyes. The heavenly joy contrasts with earthly values, where the righteous might be more celebrated than the repentant sinner. over one sinner who repents
Repentance is a central theme in Jesus' teachings, involving a change of mind and heart, turning away from sin and towards God. The focus on "one sinner" highlights the individual value and worth of each person to God. This reflects the personal nature of salvation and God's desire for all to come to repentance, as seen in2 Peter 3:9. The emphasis on repentance aligns with the prophetic calls for Israel to return to God throughout the Old Testament. than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent
This phrase challenges the self-perception of righteousness, particularly among the Pharisees and religious leaders of Jesus' time, who often considered themselves righteous by their adherence to the law. The "ninety-nine" symbolizes those who believe they are already in right standing with God, yet the passage suggests that heaven's joy is greater for the repentant sinner. This echoes Jesus' teachings on humility and the need for all to recognize their need for God's grace, as seen in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9-14). Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe speaker of this parable, Jesus uses this account to illustrate the joy in heaven over repentance. 2. HeavenThe place where the joy is expressed, representing the divine realm and God's presence. 3. SinnerRepresents those who have strayed from God's path but choose to return through repentance. 4. Righteous OnesSymbolizes those who are already in right standing with God and do not need to repent. 5. RepentanceThe act of turning away from sin and returning to God, which is central to the message of this verse. Teaching Points The Value of OneEach individual is precious to God, and their repentance brings immense joy in heaven. Heaven's Perspective on RepentanceUnlike human judgment, heaven rejoices over the return of a sinner, highlighting the grace and mercy of God. The Call to RepentanceThis verse underscores the importance of repentance in the Christian life, encouraging believers to continually turn back to God. Joy in RestorationThe joy in heaven serves as a model for how Christians should respond to the repentance and restoration of others. Righteousness and RepentanceEven those who consider themselves righteous should remain humble and aware of their need for God's grace. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Luke 15:7?
2.How does Luke 15:7 emphasize the value of one sinner's repentance to God?
3.What does "more joy in heaven" reveal about God's priorities?
4.How can we actively participate in bringing sinners to repentance like in Luke 15:7?
5.Which other scriptures highlight the importance of repentance and God's joy over it?
6.How should Luke 15:7 influence our approach to evangelism and outreach efforts?
7.What does Luke 15:7 reveal about God's view on repentance and forgiveness?
8.How does Luke 15:7 challenge the concept of self-righteousness?
9.Why does Luke 15:7 emphasize joy in heaven over one sinner's repentance?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 15?
11.Does Luke 15:7 imply that some souls are more celebrated than others, contradicting the idea of God’s impartiality?
12.Why did Jesus prioritize sinners over the righteous?
13.In Hebrews 12:1, how can a “great cloud of witnesses” literally observe our lives, and does this conflict with a scientific worldview?
14.Are angels capable of repentance?What Does Luke 15:7 Mean I tell you• Jesus speaks with the full authority of the Son of God. His “I tell you” is never idle talk (John 3:11). What follows is absolute truth, not a mere opinion. • By opening with this phrase, He personalizes the message to every listener then and now, just as He does inMatthew 5:18 when affirming that “not the smallest letter, nor the least stroke of a pen” will disappear from God’s Law.
in the same way• These words connect the statement to the parable of the lost sheep He has just told (Luke 15:3-6). • As the shepherd rejoices over the one sheep he found, Heaven responds the same way to a rescued sinner. The link mirrorsMatthew 18:13, where the shepherd “rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.” • Jesus is assuring His listeners that the parable is not a sentimental story—it’s an exact picture of how God behaves.
there will be more joy in heaven• Scripture repeatedly shows Heaven as an active, celebratory realm (Zephaniah 3:17;Revelation 19:6-7). • Angels and redeemed saints share God’s enthusiasm when even a single lost soul is saved (Luke 15:10). • This phrase reminds us that salvation is not only personal; it also resonates throughout the entire heavenly community.
over one sinner who repents• Repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of direction—turning from sin to God (Acts 3:19). • God’s heartbeat is to see sinners come home; He is “not willing that any should perish” (2 Peter 3:9). • The one who repents experiences: – Forgiveness (Isaiah 55:7) – Cleansing (1 John 1:9) – Adoption into God’s family (John 1:12) • Even if that person was the only one to respond, Heaven’s joy would still overflow.
than over ninety-nine righteous ones• Jesus contrasts the repentant sinner with those who appear righteous. In context, He is aiming at the self-confident religious leaders (Luke 15:2;Luke 18:11-12). • Paul later testifies that his former “blameless” righteousness was worthless compared to knowing Christ (Philippians 3:6-9). • Biblical righteousness comes from faith (Romans 4:5), not from rule-keeping.
who do not need to repent• No human being is truly exempt from repentance—“There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10). • Jesus uses irony to expose hearts that refuse to admit need. Those satisfied with their own goodness shut themselves out of Heaven’s celebration (Luke 5:31-32). • God’s kindness is meant to lead every person to repentance (Romans 2:4); denying that need is spiritual blindness (1 John 1:8-10).
summaryLuke 15:7 assures us that God delights in rescuing the lost. Heaven erupts with joy each time a sinner turns to Him, because repentance magnifies His grace. Self-righteous confidence may look impressive on earth, but it draws no applause in Heaven. The verse calls every listener to humble, heart-level repentance—and promises an incomparable heavenly celebration when that step is taken. (7) Ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.--As regards the men and women among whom our Lord carried on His work, we cannot see in these words anything but a grave and indignant protest, veiled under the form of an apparent concession, against the self-righteousness of the Pharisees. His call to repent had been addressed to all. That all offended in many things; that for a man to say he had not sinned was a lying boast--this was the first postulate of every preacher of the gospel, whatever school of thought he might represent ( Romans 3:23; James 3:2; 1John 1:8). Once, indeed, the opposite thought had appeared in the devotional utterance of a penitent Israelite--"Thou therefore, O Lord, that art the God of 'the just, hast not appointed repentance to the just, as to Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, which have not sinned against Thee" ( Prayer of Manasses in the Apocrypha) ; but there it was accompanied by personal contrition and confession. The man felt in his humility, how unlike he was to those saints of God. It was reserved for the Pharisees to develop the thought into the conviction that they were the just persons who needed no repentance, and that all their worship should consist in thanksgiving that they were so. (See Note on Luke 18:11.) Verse 7. - I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. "But," the Master went on to say, "what I looked for in vain on earth, see, I have found in heaven. What men coldly refused me, the celestials have joyfully given. These understand me. They love both me and my work, do the holy angels." This coldness, even opposition, on the part of the Pharisees and the religious men of Israel to himself and his works, to his teachings of mercy and love, seems certainly to be the reason why Jesus emphasizes, both here and in the next parable, the sympathy which he receives, not on earth from men, but in heaven from beings, inhabitants of another world. Men, have, however, asked - Why do these heavenly beings rejoice over the one more than over the ninety and nine? It is utterly insufficient to say that this joy is occasioned by the getting back something that was lost. Such a feeling is conceivable among men, though even here it would be an exaggerated sentiment, but in heaven, among the immortals, no such feeling could exist; it partakes too much of the sentimental, almost of the hysterical. This higher joy must be due to another cause. Now, the shepherd, when he found the wanderer, did not bring it back to the old fold, or replace it with the rest of the flock, but apparently (ver. 6) brought it to his own home. This would seem to indicate that sinners whom Jesus has come to save, and whom he has saved, are placed in a better position than that from which they originally wandered. This gives us the clue to the angels' joy over the "found one" more than over those who were safe in the old ibid. The Talmudists have taught - and their teaching, no doubt, is but the reflection of what was taught in the great rabbinical schools of Jerusalem before its ruin - that a man who had been guilty of many sins might, by repentance, raise himself to a higher degree of virtue than the perfectly righteous man who had never experienced his temptations. If this were so, well argues Professor Bruce, "surely it was reasonable to occupy one's self in endeavouring to get sinners to start on this noble career of self-elevation, and to rejoice when in any instance he had succeeded. But it is one thing to have correct theories, and another to put them into practice... So they found fault with One (Jesus) who not only held this view as an abstract doctrine, but acted on it, and sought to bring those who had strayed furthest from the paths of righteousness to repentance, believing that, though last, they might yet be first."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek In the same way,οὕτως(houtōs)Adverb
Strong's 3779:Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).I tellλέγω(legō)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004:(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.youὑμῖν(hymin)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.thatὅτι(hoti)Conjunction
Strong's 3754:Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.there will be [more]ἔσται(estai)Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.joyχαρὰ(chara)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5479:Joy, gladness, a source of joy. From chairo; cheerfulness, i.e. Calm delight.inἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.heavenοὐρανῷ(ouranō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3772:Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel.overἐπὶ(epi)Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.oneἑνὶ(heni)Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520:One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.sinnerἁμαρτωλῷ(hamartōlō)Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 268:Sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable. From hamartano; sinful, i.e. A sinner.who repentsμετανοοῦντι(metanoounti)Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3340:From meta and noieo; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. Reconsider.thanἢ(ē)Conjunction
Strong's 2228:Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.overἐπὶ(epi)Preposition
Strong's 1909:On, to, against, on the basis of, at.ninety-nineἐνενήκοντα(enenēkonta)Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1768:Ninety. From a multiple of ennea and ennea itself; ninety-nine.righteous onesδικαίοις(dikaiois)Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1342:From dike; equitable; by implication, innocent, holy.whoοἵτινες(hoitines)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3748:Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever.doἔχουσιν(echousin)Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2192:To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.notοὐ(ou)Adverb
Strong's 3756:No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.needχρείαν(chreian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5532:From the base of chraomai or chre; employment, i.e. An affair; also occasion, demand, requirement or destitution.to repent.μετανοίας(metanoias)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3341:From metanoeo; compunction; by implication, reversal (another's) decision).
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NT Gospels: Luke 15:7 I tell you that even so there (Luke Lu Lk) |
