Parable of the Lost Sheep

E151124

The Parable of the Lost Sheep is a New Testament teaching of Jesus that illustrates God's joy and mercy in seeking and saving those who are spiritually lost.

All labels observed (2)

Label Occurrences
Parable of the Lost Coin 1
Parable of the Lost Sheep canonical 1

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (45)

Predicate Object
instanceOf New Testament narrative
biblical parable
teaching of Jesus
addressedTo Pharisees
surface form: Pharisees and scribes (in Luke’s account)

disciples of Jesus
associatedConcept divine initiative in salvation
grace
soteriology
attributedTo Jesus Christ
surface form: Jesus of Nazareth
biblicalReference Luke 15:3–7
Matthew 18:12–14
canonicalStatus part of the Christian biblical canon
featuresCharacter flock of ninety-nine sheep
lost sheep
shepherd
foundIn Gospel of Luke
Gospel of Matthew
groupedWith Parable of the Lost Coin
Parable of the Prodigal Son
illustrates God’s joy in recovering the spiritually lost
heaven’s rejoicing over one sinner who repents
priority of the lost over the already safe
interpretationTradition commonly interpreted as revealing God’s pastoral love
languageOfComposition Koine Greek
literaryForm short allegorical story
message God actively seeks those who are lost
no one is insignificant to God
repentance brings joy in heaven
moralLesson believers should rejoice at others’ repentance
shepherds and leaders should care for the straying
religiousTradition Christianity
setting pastureland
symbolizes flock as righteous persons
lost sheep as sinner
shepherd as Christ
shepherd as God
testament New Testament
theme God’s joy over repentance
divine mercy
forgiveness
pastoral care
repentance
seeking the lost
value of each individual
usedBy Jesus to teach about God’s kingdom

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (2)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Parable of the Prodigal Son isNarrativelyGroupedWith Parable of the Lost Sheep
Parable of the Prodigal Son isNarrativelyGroupedWith Parable of the Lost Sheep
this entity surface form: Parable of the Lost Coin