The Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10)
Interpretation of this parable is dependent upon two factors. (1) The context is entirely about the Jewish Harvest. (2) The “woman” is MARRIED (i.e., not a virgin and, therefore, not representing the saints).
15:8. The word “Or,” with which this verse begins, creates an inseparable link to the LOST SHEEP parable just before it. Both parables are about the same thing — the transfer of a faithful remnant of Jews from the Law into Christ.
Note the inescapable similarities between the LOST SHEEP and the LOST COIN:
— Both deal with something “lost;”
— Both verses 6 and 9 deal with going to friends and neighbors in order to share rejoicing;
— Both verses 7 and 10 have angels’ rejoicing;
— Both verses 7 and 10 specify the REPENTANCE of a SINNER.
Thus, the little word “Or” is not little! This parable is a commentary or expansion on the previous parable.
Next we must deal with the “WOMAN.” We want first to establish that she is MARRIED. Her being a virgin would immediately make us think of the Christian Age; but this parable is about the Jewish Harvest.
Bro. Russell (R. 3360 and R. 3835) points out that the ten silver pieces on a garland was a sign (almost like a wedding band) of being married — that it was a gift of a husband to his wife. At least two other commentators agree. Scofield says, “A valuable coin often worn in a ten-piece garland by married women.” Barclay says, “The mark of a married woman was a headdress made of ten silver coins…, the headdress was almost the equivalent of her wedding ring.”
The Greek word is not of much value. It is translated “woman” slightly more times than “wife.” What is of interest is its contextual use. In 15:8 it is translated “woman;” but it is translated “wife” in all of these surrounding passages:
14:20
14:26
16:18
17:32
18:29
20:28
etc.
Due to its context and the historical usage of the ten-coin garland, we believe this “woman” best represents THE JEW who is married to the Law Covenant. The ten coins represent the ten commandments — the epitome of the Law. What the Jew had lost was the “great” commandment — the supreme love of God over all else. ONLY by “finding” this SPIRIT-OF-THE-LAW commandment could a Jew be transferred from Moses into Christ.
The “missing” item which kept a Jew from accepting Messiah is what Luke 16:26 calls the “great chasm.” It is what Paul refers to when he says in Romans 11:25, “a partial blindness has happened to Israel.” They still have nine coins but they are missing the key. Without that unreserved love for God, they could never recognize His son. As Jesus said, “If you have seen me, you have seen my Father.” But Israel didn’t recognize Him who led them.
They were the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-22) who refused to give up his riches (the Law) and to give his life for the restitution of the poor world of mankind.
How is the spirit of the great commandment found? It is a three-step process:
- Light a lamp;
- Sweep the house;
- Search carefully until
These steps were all part of the experiences of those who would become the faithful remnant of Israel. (1) They would have to “search the Scriptures.” Jesus always led the Jew to Scripture, pointing out that the light is there. (2) They would have to dedicate themselves to righteousness. The annual Passover sweeping-of-the-house was a ritual to be certain that no leaven (sin) was present. Those of the faithful remnant did this by committing to John’s baptism — a baptism of repentance (which is stressed in 15:7 and 10). (3) Finally, searching is required until the answers are found. This is why the disciples were constantly questioning. This word (search — S. 2212) apparently is connected to a Hebraism meaning WORSHIP. It is a very interesting concept: worship through understanding, through thought-pursuit, through questioning. We worship because we search and love what we find.
And the result? — “until she finds it.” “We have found the Messiah!” is the jubilant shout recorded in John 1:41. And the disciples there went and told friends and neighbors (15:9).
So, to summarize verse 8:
Someone married to the Law realizes that something is missing — something important. That person looks to God’s Word, commits to righteousness, and worships by honest seeking until what is found is MESSIAH!
15:9. We have already seen the ecstasy of the Jews who were discovering Messiah. And, we all know, they were nearly all of the “common man” status — not the Pharisees and those who “sat in Moses’ seat.”
These disciples immediately went to family, friends, and neighbors so that they also might find Messiah and thus rejoice together.
15:10. The parable ended in the previous verse. Now Jesus comments on it as he had done with the previous parable.
The import of this verse (and its parallel in the previous parable — 15:7) resides in two words: SINNER and REPENTS. As the angels, who well knew of the change-of- age events underway, witnessed the “publicans and sinners” GRASP THE INVITATION offered to be a part of The Christ, they could only be ecstatic! They knew from Daniel 9 that Jesus would “anoint the most holy” ones of Israel. They knew that some of Israel would be “wheat” even though the majority would be chaff. They knew (Romans 9:27; 11:5) that a “remnant” of Jews would find the lost coin. They knew (Luke 15:5) that Jesus would lift up that remnant and put them “on his shoulders, rejoicing” — they would no longer be on the shoulders of Moses.
This remnant of Jews accepted John’s baptism of repentance, and the angels rejoiced over these more than they ever had rejoiced over Israel, over whose covenant they had been administrators. (Hebrews 2:2)
This is a powerful parable in its context. It, in a sense, says that John the Baptist fulfilled his mission. He cried “in the wilderness.” (Compare 15:4.) And his cry bore the desired fruitage. It led the wheat to Messiah, and they found him!