Luke 15:8 Or 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?

◄ Luke 15:8 ►

New International Version
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?

New Living Translation
“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it?

English Standard Version
“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?

Berean Standard Bible
Or 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?

Berean Literal Bible
Or what woman having ten drachmas, if she should lose one drachma, does not light a lamp and sweep the house, and seek carefully until she finds it?

King James Bible
Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

New King James Version
“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?

New American Standard Bible
“Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?

NASB 1995
“Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?

NASB 1977
“Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?

Legacy Standard Bible
“Or what woman, if she has ten drachmas and loses one drachma, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?

Amplified Bible
“Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins [each one equal to a day’s wages] and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?

Christian Standard Bible
“Or what woman who has ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“Or what woman who has 10 silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?

American Standard Version
Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it?

Contemporary English Version
Jesus told the people another story: What will a woman do if she has ten silver coins and loses one of them? Won't she light a lamp, sweep the floor, and look carefully until she finds it?

English Revised Version
Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Suppose a woman has ten coins and loses one. Doesn't she light a lamp, sweep the house, and look for the coin carefully until she finds it?

Good News Translation
"Or suppose a woman who has ten silver coins loses one of them--what does she do? She lights a lamp, sweeps her house, and looks carefully everywhere until she finds it.

International Standard Version
"Or suppose a woman has ten coins and loses one of them. She lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and searches carefully until she finds it, doesn't she?

Majority Standard Bible
Or 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?

NET Bible
"Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search thoroughly until she finds it?

New Heart English Bible
Or what woman, if she had ten drachma coins, if she lost one drachma coin, would not light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she found it?

Webster's Bible Translation
Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she loseth one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she findeth it?

Weymouth New Testament
"Or what woman who has ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully till she finds it?

World English Bible
“Or what woman, if she had ten drachma coins, if she lost one drachma coin, wouldn’t light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she found it?

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
Or what woman having ten drachmas, if she may lose one drachma, does not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek carefully until she may find?

Berean Literal Bible
Or what woman having ten drachmas, if she should lose one drachma, does not light a lamp and sweep the house, and seek carefully until she finds it?

Young's Literal Translation
'Or what woman having ten drachms, if she may lose one drachm, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek carefully till that she may find?

Smith's Literal Translation
Or what woman having ten drachmas, if she lose one drachma, lights not a lamp, and sweeps the house, and seeks diligently till she should find?

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Or what woman having ten groats; if she lose one groat, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Or what woman, having ten drachmas, if she will have lost one drachma, would not light a candle, and sweep the house, and diligently search until she finds it?

New American Bible
“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it?

New Revised Standard Version
“Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Or what woman who has ten coins, and should lose one of them, would not light a lamp and sweep the house, and search for it carefully, until she finds it?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And who is the woman who has ten quarter shekels and will lose one of them and does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search for it carefully until she finds it?”

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
Or, what woman that has ten drachmas, if she lose one drachma, does not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and search carefully till she find it?

Godbey New Testament
Or what woman having ten drachmae, if she may lose one drachma, does she not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she may find it?

Haweis New Testament
Or what woman having ten pieces of silver coin, if she lose one of them, doth she not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and make diligent search until she find it?

Mace New Testament
or if a woman, that has ten pieces of money, should lose one of them, will she not light a lamp, sweep the house, and carefully search, till she find it?

Weymouth New Testament
"Or what woman who has ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully till she finds it?

Worrell New Testament
"Or what woman, having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, does not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently, till she finds it?

Worsley New Testament
Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and search carefully till she find it?

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Parable of the Lost Coin
7In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to 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? 9And when she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors to say, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost coin.’…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Matthew 13:44-46
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field. / Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. / When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.

Matthew 18:12-14
What 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.

Proverbs 2:4
if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure,

Zephaniah 1:12
And at that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish the men settled in complacency, who say to themselves, ‘The LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.’

John 10:3-4
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen for his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. / When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

Ezekiel 34:11-12
For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out. / As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.

Philippians 3:8
More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ

Isaiah 62:12
And they will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of The LORD; and you will be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.

Jeremiah 50:6
My people are lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray, causing them to roam the mountains. They have wandered from mountain to hill; they have forgotten their resting place.

1 Peter 1:7
so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 119:162
I rejoice in Your promise like one who finds great spoil.

1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize. / Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.

Isaiah 55:6
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.

2 Peter 3:9
The 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.

Psalm 119:176
I have strayed like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commandments.

Treasury of Scripture

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?

pieces.

Luke 18:28
Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.

and seek.

Luke 19:10
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Ezekiel 34:12
As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.

John 10:16
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

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Luke 15

1. The parable of the lost sheep;
8. of the piece of silver;
11. of the prodigal son.

Berean Study Bible

Or what woman
This phrase introduces a parable spoken by Jesus, highlighting the universality of His message. The use of "woman" is significant, as it reflects Jesus' inclusive approach, valuing both men and women in His teachings. In the cultural context of the time, women were often marginalized, yet Jesus elevates their role, showing that the Kingdom of God is accessible to all. The Greek word for "woman" here is "γυνή" (gynē), emphasizing her active role in the narrative.

who has ten silver coins
The "ten silver coins" refer to drachmas, a Greek coin that was equivalent to a day's wage. This detail underscores the value of what is lost. The number ten may symbolize completeness or sufficiency, indicating that the woman had a full set, and losing one disrupts this completeness. The coins could also represent a dowry or a significant part of her savings, adding to the urgency and importance of the search.

and loses one of them
The act of losing one coin out of ten highlights the theme of loss and the subsequent desire for restoration. The Greek word for "loses" is "ἀπολλύω" (apollyō), which can mean to destroy or to lose. This suggests a sense of urgency and distress over the loss, reflecting the spiritual truth of God's concern for every lost soul.

does not light a lamp
Lighting a lamp signifies taking deliberate action to remedy the situation. In the historical context, homes were often dark, with few windows, making a lamp necessary for searching. The lamp symbolizes the light of Christ and the illumination of the Holy Spirit, guiding the search for the lost. The Greek word "λύχνος" (lychnos) for lamp indicates a small, portable light, emphasizing personal effort and care.

sweep the house
Sweeping the house indicates thoroughness and diligence in the search. The Greek word "σαρόω" (saroō) means to sweep or clean, suggesting a meticulous and determined effort. This action reflects the comprehensive nature of God's search for the lost, leaving no stone unturned. It also implies a cleansing process, preparing the way for the lost to be found and restored.

and search carefully
The phrase "search carefully" conveys an intense and focused effort. The Greek word "ζητέω" (zēteō) means to seek or strive after, indicating a passionate pursuit. This reflects God's relentless pursuit of each individual, emphasizing His love and commitment to restoring the lost. The careful search underscores the value of each soul in the eyes of God.

until she finds it?
The word "until" indicates perseverance and determination. The Greek "ἕως" (heōs) suggests a continuous action, highlighting the woman's resolve not to give up until the lost coin is found. This mirrors God's unwavering commitment to seek and save the lost, demonstrating His enduring love and grace. The finding of the coin represents the joy and celebration in heaven over one sinner who repents, as emphasized in the broader context of the parable.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(8) Either what woman having ten pieces of silver.--The main lesson of the parable that thus opens is, of course, identical with that of the Lost Sheep. We are justified, however, in assuming that the special features of each were meant to have a special meaning, and that we have therefore more than a mere ornamental variation of imagery. Looking to these points of difference we note (1) the use of the silver coin (the drachma) as a symbol of the human soul. Here the reason of the choice lies on the surface. The coin is what it is because it has on it the king's image and superscription. Man is precious because he too has the image and superscription of the great King, the spiritual attributes of Thought and Will, by which he resembles God, stamped upon him. (2) There is, perhaps, a special significance in the fact that the coin is lost in the house, while the sheep strays from the fold. What seems implied here is the possibility that a soul that is precious in the sight of God may be lost even within the society, Israel or the Church of Christ, which is for the time being the visible house of God. (3) It is a woman who seeks, and not a man, and the change, at least, reminds us of the woman in the parable of the Leaven. (See Note on Matthew 13:33.) It is hardly an adequate explanation in either case, though it may be true in itself, that the variation was made to interest a different class of hearers, the women who were listening, who had no experience in going after the sheep that was lost. We must at least see in it the lesson that what we call feminine virtues and graces are needed for the deliverance of souls that have fallen--patience, and diligence, and minute observation--not less than what we think of as the more manly qualities of courage, and enterprise, and endurance. Lastly, in the "woman" of the parable we may venture to see that which answers in part to the ideal representation of Wisdom in the book of Proverbs (Luke 8, 9), in part to the Church as answering in its collective unity to the ideal of womanhood, as Christ Himself does to the ideal of manhood (Ephesians 5:23).

Doth not light a candle, and. . . . seek diligently . . .?--The symbolic meaning of each act lies almost on the surface. To "light the candle" can be nothing else than to put forth the full power of truth and holiness. To "sweep the house" can be nothing else than to use all available means for discovering the possible good that lies hidden or seemingly lost. In the later actual life of the Church, faithful preaching of the word answers to the one, faithful organisation of charity to the other. The rest of the parable is simply an identical reproduction, mutatis mutandis, of the conclusion of the former.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 8. - Either what woman having' ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? Another and very homely picture is painted in this parable. This time the chief figure is a woman, a dweller in a poor Syrian village, to whom the loss of a coin of small value out of her little store is a serious matter. In the story of the lost sheep the point of the parable turns upon the suffering and the sin of man, under the image of a lost sheep searched for and restored by the Divine pity. Here, in the second parable-story, the ruined soul is represented as a lost coin, and we learn from it that God positively misses each lost soul, and longs for its restoration to its true sphere and place in the heaven life and work for which it was created. In other words, in the first parable the lost soul is viewed from man's standpoint; in the second, from God's. If, then, a soul be missed, the result will be, not only missing for itself, but something lost for God.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

Or
Ἢ (Ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

what
τίς (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

woman
γυνὴ (gynē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.

who has
ἔχουσα (echousa)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

ten
δέκα (deka)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1176: Ten. A primary number; ten.

silver coins
δραχμὰς (drachmas)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 1406: A drachma, a Greek silver coin. From drassomai; a drachma or coin.

[and]
ἐὰν (ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

loses
ἀπολέσῃ (apolesē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 622: From apo and the base of olethros; to destroy fully, literally or figuratively.

one
μίαν (mian)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

[of them]
δραχμὴν (drachmēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1406: A drachma, a Greek silver coin. From drassomai; a drachma or coin.

{does} not
οὐχὶ (ouchi)
IntPrtcl
Strong's 3780: By no means, not at all. Intensive of ou; not indeed.

light
ἅπτει (haptei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 681: To kindle, light. A primary verb; properly, to fasten to, i.e. to set on fire.

a lamp,
λύχνον (lychnon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3088: A lamp. From the base of leukos; a portable lamp or other illuminator.

sweep
σαροῖ (saroi)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4563: To sweep, cleanse by sweeping. From a derivative of sairo; meaning a broom; to sweep.

[her]
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

house,
οἰκίαν (oikian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3614: From oikos; properly, residence, but usually an abode; by implication, a family.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

search
ζητεῖ (zētei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2212: To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.

carefully
ἐπιμελῶς (epimelōs)
Adverb
Strong's 1960: Carefully, diligently. Adverb from a derivative of epimeleomai; carefully.

until
ἕως (heōs)
Preposition
Strong's 2193: A conjunction, preposition and adverb of continuance, until.

she finds
εὕρῃ (heurē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2147: A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.

it?
οὗ (hou)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

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NT Gospels: Luke 15:8 Or what woman if she had ten (Luke Lu Lk)