The Parable Of The Lost Coin Series

THE PARABLE OF THE LOST COIN

Luke 15:8-10

(Antioch Baptist Church: Sunday, January 25th, 2026)

Several years ago my wife realized that the first ring I ever bought her was missing. We immediately turned the house upside down, looking under furniture, inside drawers, and even vacuuming out the heating and air ducts. For years thereafter, anytime we would discard a piece of furniture we would literally tear it apart hoping to find her ring. The monetary value of that piece of jewelry was not very significant, but for us, the sentimental value was immense. Unfortunately, we never recovered the ring, but if we had, there is no question that we would have rejoiced greatly.

Our selected text tells a similar story that has a much happier ending. In Luke 15:8-10 Jesus shares a parable about a woman who possessed something of great value, she owned “ten silver coins”. Tragically, she lost one of those coins. In response, she “lit a lamp and swept the house and sought diligently until she found it”. After finding this possession that was so precious to her, she called her friends and neighbors together saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.”

As exciting and encouraging as her story is, it pales in comparison to the true meaning of this parable. The Pharisees and Scribes were complaining because Jesus “receives sinners and eats with them” . The Lord told the story of the woman and her coin as a way of illustrating the reality that God sees EVERYONE as valuable. So valuable in fact, that He sent His only Son to earth for the purpose of seeking and saving us. Jesus came, lived, died, and rose again so that we could live eternally. When we repent and believe in Jesus, God receives glory. When God receives glory, all of Heaven rejoices.

Jesus closes this parable with one of the most beautiful declarations in the Word of God; in verse ten He says, “I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Joy is a constant theme throughout the Bible; in this context, joy is not just an emotion but a divine response to repentance and redemption. Join me as we walk through this passage and examine “The Parable Of The Lost Coin”.

In His attempt to rebuke the lack of compassion among the Pharisees and to explain the value that the Father places on lost sinners, Jesus references a valuable possession, mentions a distressing loss, describes an intense search, and illustrates a glorious celebration. Let’s begin with the fact that:

JESUS REFERENCES A VALUABLE POSSESSION

“ten silver coins”

Many scholars believe that these ten silver coins refer to a “semedi” which was a traditional bridal headdress. This semedi would have been given to this woman either in betrothal or marriage. If this is accurate, then it only had monetary value, it held sentimental value like that of a wedding ring, and to lose one of the coins would be extremely distressing.

We do not know for sure if this coin was part of a semedi, but we do know that it was a possession of great value. This silver coin refers to a “drachma” and its value was approximately a day’s wage for a skilled worker.

- After referencing a valuable possession:

JESUS MENTIONS A DISTRESSING LOSS

“if she loses one coin”

Some commentators surmise that these ten coins may have represented this woman’s entire life savings. Even if that is not the case, the single missing coin was a possession of great value and when she realized it was missing it caused her great distress.

Most of us would be very upset if we somehow misplaced an entire day’s wage. In fact, we would be so distressed that we would respond by launching an immediate and intense search! That is exactly what this woman did. Notice:

JESUS DESCRIBES AN INTENSE SEARCH

“if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?”

Upon realizing that her coin was missing, the woman immediately lit a lamp and swept her house diligently. Single room Palestinian homes often had small windows (if they had any at all) therefore it was necessary to light a lamp to assist with the search. Furthermore, it was common for such homes to have dirt floors; this prompted the woman to sweep the house in her effort to find her lost possession.

As someone who has often misplaced his wallet, I am certain this woman was frantic as she swept her house and searched for her lost coin. Nothing was left unturned as she got down on her knees and searched every nook can cranny in her home. She was not only frantic, she was diligent! She didn’t just look for a while and then give up in defeat; Jesus says that she searched her home until she found it!