Luke 15:7 — Community Reflections

LUKE 15:7 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent — the application: heaven rejoices more over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine who do not need repentance. The more rejoicing in heaven is the theological ground for Jesus' table fellowship — the celebration in heaven for the recovered sinner is the model for the celebration at the table.

Church Fathers on Luke 15:7

You had learnt by what went before not to be occupied by the business of this world, not to prefer transitory things to eternal. But because the frailty of man can not keep a firm step in so slippery a world, the good Physician has shown you a remedy even after falling; the merciful Judge has not denied the hope of pardon; hence it is added, Then drew near to him all the publicans.
Ambrose · 4th century

That is, those who collect or farm the public taxes, and who make a business of following after worldly gain.
Gloss (Glossa Ordinaria) · medieval compilation

For this was His wont, for the sake whereof He had taken upon Him the flesh, to receive sinners as the physician those that are sick. But the Pharisees, the really guilty, returned murmurs for this act of mercy, as it follows, And the Pharisees and Scribes murmured, saying, &c.
Theophylact · 11th century

Read all 15 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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