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Parable taught by Jesus of Nazareth according to Christian gospels

The Parable of the Lost Sheep is one of the parables of Jesus. It appears in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke It is about a shepherd who leaves his flock of ninety nine sheep in order to find the one which is lost. It is the first member of a trilogy about redemption that Jesus tells after the Pharisees and religious leaders accuse him of welcoming and eating with "sinners."

The Parable of the Lost Sheep is followed by those of the Lost Coin and the Prodigal Son, in Luke's Gospel. The Parable of the Lost Sheep shares themes of loss, searching, and rejoicing with the Parable of the Lost Coin. The rejoicing of the shepherd with his friends represents God rejoicing with the angels. The image of God rejoicing at the recovery of lost sinners contrasts with the criticism of the religious leaders which prompted the parable. Cornelius a Lapide in his Great Commentary writes, "So we, by reason of our sinful lusts, were as wandering sheep, treading the path which led to perdition, without a thought of God or of heaven, or of the salvation of our souls. Wherefore Christ came down from heaven to seek us, and to lead us back from the way of destruction to that which leadeth to eternal life. So we read, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all,” Isa. 53:6; and again, “Ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:25."

The image from this parable of the shepherd placing the lost sheep on his shoulders has been widely incorporated into depictions of the Good Shepherd. Consequently, this parable appears in art mostly as an influence on depictions of the Good Shepherd rather than as a distinct subject on its own.