Luke 15:4

The Passion Translation

“There once was a shepherd with a hundred lambs, but one of his lambs wandered away and was lost. So the shepherd left the ninety-nine lambs out in the open field and searched in the wilderness for that one lost lamb. He didn’t stop until he finally found it. With exuberant joy, he raised it up, placed it on his shoulders, and carried it back with cheerful delight!

Cross References

Psalm 119:176

I’ll never forget what you’ve taught me, Lord, but when I wander off and lose my way, come after me, for I am your beloved!

Isaiah 53:6

Like wayward sheep, we have all wandered astray. Each of us has turned from God’s paths and chosen our own way; even so, Yahweh laid the guilt of our every sin upon him.

Jeremiah 33:13

“In the towns of the highlands, the lowlands, and the southern desert, in the land of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem, and in the towns of Judah, flocks will once again pass under the hand of a shepherd who counts them,” declares Yahweh.

Jeremiah 50:6

“My people are like lost sheep; their shepherds led them astray. They are lost, wandering about in the mountains. They went from mountain to hill, forgetting their resting place.

Ezekiel 34:31

And you, my people, are my sheep, the flock of my pasture are people, and I am your God. I, Lord Yahweh, have spoken.’ ”

Ezekiel 34:4

You haven’t cared for the weak ones, brought healing to the sick, nor bandaged those who are injured. You haven’t looked for the strays nor brought the lost back to the fold. Instead, you have ruled over them cruelly and treated them harshly.

Ezekiel 34:8

As surely as I live, declares Lord Yahweh—my sheep have become the prey of every wild beast. Since there was no shepherd to protect my sheep, they have been devoured. My shepherds have not searched for my sheep; they have cared for themselves and not the flock.

Matthew 12:11

He answered them, “If any of you had a lamb that fell into a ditch on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you reach out your hand and lift it out?

Luke 13:15

The Lord replied, “You hypocrites! Don’t you care for your animals on the Sabbath, untying your ox or donkey from the stall and leading it away to water?

Luke 15:3

In response, Jesus gave them this illustration:

Luke 19:10

The Son of Man has come to seek out and to give life to those who are lost.”

Romans 2:1

No matter who you are, before you judge the wickedness of others, you had better remember this: you are also without excuse, for you too are guilty of the same kind of things! When you judge others, and then do the same things they do, you condemn yourself.

1 Peter 2:25

You were like sheep that continually wandered away, but now you have returned to the true Shepherd of your lives—the kind Guardian who lovingly watches over your souls.