What does Luke 15:6 mean?
The Pharisees have found Jesus associating with those who violate Mosaic law and others who betray their fellow Jews. Despite this being a common occurrence, the Pharisees still can't accept that Jesus' ministry is to call sinners to repent (Luke 5:27–32).Many of the people Jesus meets with have made foolish choices. They're like the sheep of this parable: one who leaves the protection of his shepherd and wanders off. The sheep is either oblivious of danger or distracted by other urges. It's unaware that it could fall into a ravine, drown, or get eaten by a lion. By the time it realizes the danger it's in, it doesn't know how to get back home (Luke 15:3–5).
The Pharisees, so far as the parable is concerned, are like a shepherd who stands around lecturing the ninety-nine faithful sheep about how evil the lost one is. Jesus proposes a better way: go after the one who is lost. The ninety-nine will persevere long enough for the shepherd to make that effort. What benefit is there to staying with the ninety-nine if it means losing a chance to find and restore the lost sheep? That's what Jesus is doing. And if He finds that lost sinner and restores him to God, the Pharisees should celebrate. This is not a situation calling for judgment, but for joy.
To poke the Pharisees a little more, Jesus hints that they are the ninety-nine. And when one of these sinners and tax collectors repent, heaven will celebrate more than for those who don't have such an obvious need for repentance (Luke 15:7).
