τίς ἄνθρωπος. The word is used to suggest the truth that a fortiori God (Luke 15:7) will be even more compassionate.

ἑκατὸν πρόβατα. And yet out of this large flock the Good Shepherd grieves for one which strays. There is an Arab saying that God has divided pity into a hundred parts, and kept ninety-nine for Himself.

ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, i.e. the Midbar, or pastures; see Luke 2:8. The sheep are left of course under minor shepherds, not uncared for. Some see in the Lost Sheep the whole human race, and in the ninety-nine the Angels: as though mankind were but a hundredth part of God’s flock.

ἕως εὕρῃ αὐτό. Strange that utterances so gracious as this should be utterly passed over, when so many darker details are rigidly pressed!

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Old Testament