· Translation: KJV

Luke 15:3He told them this parable.

The setting

Jesus pauses the tension, looks at the critical crowd, and begins speaking in the ancient tradition of story-teaching...

The emotion here: calm determination to teach through story rather than argument

The original word

parabolē (παραβολήν) — to throw alongside, a story that lands next to truth to illuminate it

Why it matters

Jewish rabbis used parables as the primary teaching method - it forced listeners to think rather than just memorize

Read with care

What most readers miss in Luke 15:3

Luke says 'this parable' (singular) but Jesus tells three stories - they're one unified response

Common misconceptionThis seems like a gentle transition, but Jesus is actually setting a trap - the parables will convict his critics of their own hardheartedness.

Bible Genome reading

Luke 15:3 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerLuke
Eragospel
Primary emotionstarting
Literary typenarrative

Emotional genome

Comfort power30%
Quotability20%
Memorability30%
Crisis relevance20%
Standalone30%
Themes:teachingresponse

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Luke 15

Luke 15:3 comes from the book of Luke, written during the gospel period. These words are attributed to Luke. The dominant emotion in this verse is starting, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include teaching, response. Notable phrases: told them this parable.

Your reflection

What does Luke 15:3 mean to you, today?

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