The Parable of the Lost Sheep

A shepherd leaves his ninety-nine sheep to search for one lost sheep. This parable highlights God's unwavering love and relentless pursuit of those who are lost.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Matthew 18:12-14

12. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
13. And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
14. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Sermons Related to this Bible Chapter - The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Parables 10: In the kingdom of God, forgiveness is constitutional : The kingdom of God (or of the heavens, according to the gospels) corresponds to what is in the likeness of God. Jesus made it palpable when he came, the Church – of which Christ is the head – must make it palpable and it will be lived in a perfect way with God. One of the characteristic traits of this kingdom is unlimited brotherly forgiveness.

Bible Red Thread 13: The Family of God (Matthew 18) : Matthew 18: 1-5 / Darby 1. In that hour the disciples came to Jesus saying, Who then is greatest in the kingdom of the heavens? 2. And Jesus having called a little child to [him], set it in their midst, 3. and said, Verily I say to you, Unless ye are converted and become as little children, ye will not at all enter into the kingdom of the heavens. 4. Whoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, *he* is the greatest in the kingdom of the heavens; 5. and whosoever shall receive one such little child in my name, receives me.

Back to Index

Under a starlit night sky, the shepherd reunites the lost lamb with the rest of the flock, a sense of peacefulness and completion fills the scene. The sheep are clustered together. Highlights the reunion and restoration, conveying the ultimate message of hope and redemption in the parable.

A detail-rich image of a shepherd's staff, leaning against a rock, with a single, muddy footprint near it, symbolizing the journey of the lost sheep. Uses symbolic elements like the staff and footprint to tell a visual story without explicit depiction of people or animals.

A close-up depiction of a shepherd's worn, calloused hands gently cradling a tiny, vulnerable lamb, highlighting the shepherd's compassion and care. Focuses on the tactile interaction, conveying the shepherd's care and the lamb's fragility without explicitly showing the other sheep.

A macro closeup of a shepherd's weathered hand gently lifting a bleating lamb, its fleece matted with dirt, back to its feet. Dust motes dance in the sunbeam slicing through a dimly lit cave. This prompt focuses on the intimate moment of rescue, highlighting the shepherd's compassion and the lamb's vulnerability, mirroring the parable's core message.

A macro shot of a single tear rolling down a shepherd's cheek as he embraces a trembling, mud-caked lamb, the setting sun casting long shadows across their faces. Emphasizes the emotional toll on the shepherd, reflecting God's personal investment in finding the lost.

A bright, orange sunrise illuminates a rocky hillside, where a lone sheep, its wool tangled and dirty, stands forlornly near a precipice. A shepherd's silhouette is just visible in the distance, approaching. Captures the isolation and vulnerability of the lost sheep, contrasting with the shepherd's eventual arrival, symbolizing God's search for the lost.

A vibrant yellow morning sun paints the landscape with warm light. A shepherd, carrying a small, injured lamb, walks towards a rustic village, the light reflecting off his worn sandals. Illustrates the shepherd's journey back to the flock, representing God's bringing the lost back into the community.

As the sun sets, casting long shadows across a barren landscape, a shepherd searches for a lost lamb. The colors of twilight paint the sky in shades of orange, purple, and deep blue. Highlights the setting sun as a metaphor for the ending of the sheep's isolation and the beginning of its rescue.

Evening descends on a rugged hillside; a lone sheep, bleating sadly, stands silhouetted against the fiery sunset. The sky blazes with an intense sunset of orange, red and purple. Focuses on the dramatic visual of the lost sheep alone against the intense sunset, symbolizing the consequences of straying from the flock.

A shepherd, silhouetted against the rising sun, is seen carrying a lost lamb, his face etched with relief. Other sheep graze peacefully in the background, near a small stone hut. Depicts the hopeful return of the lost, emphasizing the relief and joy of both the shepherd and the flock.

A group of shepherds, silhouetted against the morning sky, are seen rejoicing, the lost lamb nestled safely among the flock. The scene depicts a sense of celebration and relief. Illustrates the celebration of the sheep's return, showcasing the importance of community and unity in faith.

A shadowy figure of a shepherd searches anxiously amongst the rocks under a moonlit night. A single, lost lamb is hidden in the darkness. Emphasizes the difficulty of finding the lost in the darkness, representing the challenges in seeking God's lost children.

overlayed with the bible verse 12. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

NOTE: The images reflect the following descriptions related to the theme : The Parable of the Lost Sheep

A macro closeup of a shepherd's weathered hand gently lifting a bleating lamb, its fleece matted with dirt, back to its feet. Dust motes dance in the sunbeam slicing through a dimly lit cave.
A macro shot of a single tear rolling down a shepherd's cheek as he embraces a trembling, mud-caked lamb, the setting sun casting long shadows across their faces.
A bright, orange sunrise illuminates a rocky hillside, where a lone sheep, its wool tangled and dirty, stands forlornly near a precipice. A shepherd's silhouette is just visible in the distance, approaching.
A vibrant yellow morning sun paints the landscape with warm light. A shepherd, carrying a small, injured lamb, walks towards a rustic village, the light reflecting off his worn sandals.
As the sun sets, casting long shadows across a barren landscape, a shepherd searches for a lost lamb. The colors of twilight paint the sky in shades of orange, purple, and deep blue.
Evening descends on a rugged hillside; a lone sheep, bleating sadly, stands silhouetted against the fiery sunset. The sky blazes with an intense sunset of orange, red and purple.
A shepherd, silhouetted against the rising sun, is seen carrying a lost lamb, his face etched with relief. Other sheep graze peacefully in the background, near a small stone hut.
A group of shepherds, silhouetted against the morning sky, are seen rejoicing, the lost lamb nestled safely among the flock. The scene depicts a sense of celebration and relief.
A shadowy figure of a shepherd searches anxiously amongst the rocks under a moonlit night. A single, lost lamb is hidden in the darkness.
Under a starlit night sky, the shepherd reunites the lost lamb with the rest of the flock, a sense of peacefulness and completion fills the scene. The sheep are clustered together.
A detail-rich image of a shepherd's staff, leaning against a rock, with a single, muddy footprint near it, symbolizing the journey of the lost sheep.
A close-up depiction of a shepherd's worn, calloused hands gently cradling a tiny, vulnerable lamb, highlighting the shepherd's compassion and care.

General themes for this chapter of the Bible: Greatest in the Kingdom; Temptation to Sin; The Lost Sheep; Forgiveness; The Unforgiving Servant

A link to this resource is much appreciated to let others know about this free christian resource. The AB Church in LAusanne-Renens is happy to make the image collection available for free.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep in Art

The tender story of the Lost Sheep has resonated with artists for centuries, leading to numerous artistic interpretations. Here are a few examples:

Paintings by various artists
Many painters, across different eras and styles, have depicted the moment of the shepherd finding the lost sheep. These paintings often emphasize the shepherd's love and relief, as well as the sheep's vulnerability. Artists have explored various aspects of the parable, from the search to the joyous return.
Illustrations for Children's Bibles
The Lost Sheep is a popular story in children's Bibles, and illustrators have created countless images to help young readers understand the parable. These illustrations often focus on making the story accessible and engaging for children.
Sculptures and other media
Beyond paintings and illustrations, the Lost Sheep has also been depicted in sculptures, stained glass, and other artistic media, each offering a unique perspective on the parable.

Search for images of "Lost Sheep art" on Google: examples of Lost Sheep art

Other Galleries for this theme / Bible book

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

Related Nature Images With Bible Verses

Visit other nature images in Gospel of Matthew 18