Luke 15

The Father Runs — a note on this chapter.

Which worship songs are based on Luke 15?

  1. Black Sheep — Ben Fuller (2025) Luke 15:1-7

    The imagery of a 'black sheep' evokes the parable of the lost sheep, where the shepherd seeks out the one lost sheep, reflecting the relentless pursuit of those who feel they do not belong.

  2. You Can't Tell Me That Ain't God — 11th Hour (2024) Luke 15:3-7

    The image of a shepherd leaving ninety-nine sheep to recover the lost one directly invokes Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep.

  3. Kingdom — ALIA LARA (2024) Luke 15:3-7

    The numerical contrast between one and ninety-nine evokes Jesus’ parable of the shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to seek the one that is lost.

  4. Omemma (Live) — Chandler Moore (2024) Luke 15:3-7

    The repeated contrast between ninety-nine sheep and one individual unmistakably invokes Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep, in which the shepherd pursues the missing sheep and rejoices when it is found. The song applies this image personally to God's pursuit and rescue of the sinner.

  5. Lord & Savior — Sam Rivera & Limoblaze (2024) Luke 15:3-7

    The description of leaving ninety-nine sheep for one directly invokes Jesus’ parable of the shepherd who searches for the single lost sheep.

  6. It's Always Been You (HGHTS Remix) — Phil Wickham (2026) Luke 15:4-5

    The image of being carried on the rescuer’s shoulders recalls Jesus’ description of a shepherd finding a lost sheep and bearing it home.

  7. Kids — Brandon Lake (2023) Luke 15:4-7

    The shepherd and the ninety-nine directly evoke Jesus' parable of the shepherd who leaves the flock to recover one lost sheep.

  8. star — CHANGETHEWXRLD (2024) Luke 15:4-7

    The reference to leaving ninety-nine sheep to recover one who was lost unmistakably invokes Jesus' parable of the lost sheep.

  9. Come Thou Fount — Forrest Frank (2023) Luke 15:4-7

    The description of Jesus seeking someone who had wandered from the flock closely evokes the parable of the shepherd who searches for his lost sheep.

  10. It's Always Been You — Phil Wickham (2021) Luke 15:4-5

    Being carried on another’s shoulders evokes Jesus’ parable in which a shepherd finds the lost sheep and joyfully carries it home.

  11. Honest Love — Rita Springer (2024) Luke 15:4-6

    The image of love leaving the larger group to seek one individual unmistakably recalls Jesus' parable of the shepherd who searches for a single lost sheep.

  12. Black Sheep II — KB & Ben Fuller (2026) Luke 15:4

    The song opens with a direct reference to the parable of the lost sheep, where a shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the one that is lost, highlighting themes of pursuit and redemption.

  13. Day One — Childlike CiCi & Lecrae (2025) Luke 15:4-7

    The song references the concept of God leaving the ninety-nine sheep to find the one lost sheep, highlighting divine care and guidance in personal struggles.

  14. Under The Blood — Alex Jean (2026) Luke 15:4

    The song references the idea of a shepherd leaving the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep, which aligns with Jesus' teaching on God's pursuit of the lost.

  15. TWO WORDS — indie tribe, Mogli the Iceburg, Torey D'Shaun & nobigdyl. (2026) Luke 15:4-7

    The song references the concept of leaving the 99 sheep to find the one lost sheep, which reflects the theme of seeking those who are lost or in need of help.

  16. Runaway — Jess Ray (2024) Luke 15:4-7

    The song directly invokes Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep, in which a shepherd leaves ninety-nine sheep to seek the one that is lost. This image frames God’s pursuit of a person who has wandered away.

  17. CHRISTIAN RAPPER — Marty & Brenno (2024) Luke 15:4-7

    The reference to leaving ninety-nine behind invokes Jesus' parable of the shepherd who searches for one lost sheep.

  18. Hold Me Down — Ariel Fitz-Patrick (2025) Luke 15:4-6

    The description of an extensive search that leaves ninety-nine sheep behind unmistakably invokes Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep and its emphasis on recovering one who has wandered.

  19. At the Sound of a Sinner’s Prayer — 11th Hour (2024) Luke 15:7

    The celebration in heaven when another sinner turns to God closely paraphrases Jesus’ teaching that heaven and the angels rejoice over one sinner who repents.

  20. How Sweet the Sound — Jordan Feliz (2024) Luke 15:7

    The movement from being lost to being found, accompanied by heavenly celebration, closely reflects Jesus' teaching about heaven rejoicing when a lost sinner is restored.

  21. Hlala Nathi — Nontokozo Mkhize (2025) Luke 15:7

    The song directly recalls Jesus’ teaching that heaven rejoices when a sinner repents, using that truth to challenge the church’s failure to welcome sinners with love.

  22. I Am Redeemed — Brian Free & Assurance (2023) Luke 15:10

    The rejoicing of angels when a sinner receives grace closely paraphrases Jesus' statement that God's angels rejoice over one sinner who repents.

  23. Jesus on the Radio — Anne Wilson (2025) Luke 15:11-32

    The song references the theme of redemption and salvation, which aligns with the parable of the Prodigal Son, emphasizing that any sinner can be saved.

  24. Daddy's DNA — Brandon Lake (2025) Luke 15:11-32

    The song references the imagery of living in a pigsty and the desire to return home, which directly parallels the story of the Prodigal Son who finds himself in a similar predicament before returning to his father.

  25. Daddy's DNA — Brandon Lake (2025) Luke 15:11-32

    The song references living in a 'pig sty' and the desire to return home, mirroring the Prodigal Son's journey of rebellion and eventual repentance.

  26. Daddy's DNA (live) — Brandon Lake (2025) Luke 15:11-32

    The song references living in a pig sty and the longing to return home, which directly parallels the story of the Prodigal Son, who finds himself in a similar desperate situation before returning to his father.

  27. Resurrection Story — Phil Wickham (2026) Luke 15:11-32

    The lyrics mention being a long-lost prodigal, directly referencing the story of the prodigal son who returns home after squandering his inheritance.

  28. TWO WAY MIRROR — indie tribe & nobigdyl. & Torey D'Shaun & Mogli the Iceburg (2026) Luke 15:11-32

    The lyrics reference the concept of redemption for those who feel lost or marginalized, echoing the message of the Prodigal Son, where a wayward son is welcomed back by his father.

  29. Outside In — Circle of Dust (2025) Luke 15:18

    The song expresses a plea for mercy and a desire to return home, echoing the sentiment of the prodigal son who acknowledges his sin and seeks forgiveness from his father.

  30. A Forgiving God — SEU Worship, Ashton Hage, Chelsea Plank (2025) Luke 15:18-20

    The speaker paraphrases the returning son's confession that he sinned against his father and was unworthy to retain the status of son, followed by the father running to receive him.

  31. Gift Of Salvation — Zahriya Zachary (2025) Luke 15:20

    The imagery of God running to meet the singer with outstretched hands evokes the moment in the Prodigal Son parable where the father embraces his returning child, highlighting themes of acceptance and redemption.

  32. WHO I WAS — NF & mgk (2025) Luke 15:20

    The song reflects a moment of returning to God, similar to the prodigal son being embraced by his father upon his return, highlighting themes of grace and acceptance after a period of estrangement.

  33. Amazing Grace (live) — Aretha Franklin (2021) Luke 15:24

    The singer’s movement from being lost to being found closely parallels the father’s description of his restored son. The song does not include enough narrative detail to identify the prodigal-son story at the story level.

  34. NO L’s — Forrest Frank (2025) Luke 15:24

    The song's theme of being lost and then found echoes the parable of the prodigal son, where the father rejoices over the return of his lost child.

  35. Only Love — Jordan Feliz (2020) Luke 15:24

    The paired descriptions of restored life and movement from lostness to being found closely reproduce the language used when the prodigal son returns.

  36. Jesus, Thank You — Katy Nichole (2023) Luke 15:24

    The singer describes her former lost condition and present recovery using the same contrast found in Jesus’ parable. The wording is likely mediated through the hymn “Amazing Grace,” but its biblical source is clearly reflected here.

  37. You’re All I’ll Take With Me — Lauren Daigle (2023) Luke 15:24

    The fourth verse closely echoes the father's declaration in Jesus’ parable that his son had been lost and was now found. The wording also invokes the well-known hymn “Amazing Grace,” which draws on this biblical language.

  38. I Was, But God — ELEVATION RHYTHM (2025) Luke 15:24

    The bridge reproduces the lost-to-found formula used by the father to describe his son's restoration in Jesus' parable.

  39. Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) — Pentatonix (2020) Luke 15:24

    The singer describes a transition from being lost to being found, closely echoing the father's declaration about his restored son in Jesus' parable.

Luke 15 (King James Version)

1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7 I 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.

8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:

12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.