Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
Parallel translations
- WEB Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.”
- BSB In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
- NKJV Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
- NASB In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
- NLT In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus declares that the angels of God rejoice over one sinner who repents, revealing heaven's joy at conversion.
Overview
The phrase 'in the presence of the angels' points to God's own joy, shared by the heavenly host. This verse interprets both parables and confronts those who despise repentant sinners. The cross of Christ makes such repentance and restoration possible, and heaven celebrates each one.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- Luke 15:7I 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.
- Ezek 33:11Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
- 2 Cor 7:10For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
- Ezek 18:23Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
- Luke 13:5I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
- Matt 18:14Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
- Ezek 18:32For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
- Acts 11:18When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
- Luke 7:47Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
- Heb 1:14Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
- 2 Chr 33:13–19And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.
- Rev 5:11–14And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
- Matt 18:10Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
- Acts 10:3–5He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
- Matt 28:5–7And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
- Phlm 1:15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;
- Luke 2:1–14And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
- Acts 5:19But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
How Luke 15:10 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.