Bible Strands
Luke 15:5
And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his listeners while narrating a parable about a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to pursue one that has strayed. The moment captures the immediate aftermath of the search, before the shepherd returns to share the news.
The words — χαίρων (chairōn) translates to “rejoicing” or “with joy,” and ἐπιτίθησιν (epitithēsin) means “he lays” or “he places.” Together they describe the shepherd’s physical action of carrying the recovered sheep while in a state of gladness.
The thread — The motif of joyful recovery and carrying runs through Isaiah 46:3, where God describes sustaining the remnant from the womb, and Isaiah 40:10, which portrays the Lord coming with might to establish His rule. Hebrews 12:2 also connects enduring hardship with a joy set before the one who accomplishes the task.
Why it lands — The text records a concrete action: the shepherd physically bears the lost sheep on his shoulders in gladness. It asks the reader to recognize that the pursuit ends in restoration, and the recovery itself warrants immediate, unmediated joy.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Isaiah 40:10 Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and His arm establishes His rule. His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him.
- Isaiah 46:3 “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been sustained from the womb, carried along since birth.
- Micah 7:18 Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?
- Luke 19:9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham.
- Isaiah 53:10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush Him and to cause Him to suffer; and when His soul is made a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the LORD will prosper in His hand.
- Isaiah 62:5 For as a young man marries a young woman, so your sons will marry you; and as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.
- Isaiah 63:9 In all their distress, He too was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them. In His love and compassion He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
- Ezekiel 18:23 Do 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?
- Micah 5:4 He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD His God. And they will dwell securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth.