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Luke 15 · a question people ask

Jesus speaks of "ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance" (15:7). Who are they?

In the text

Jesus says it at the close of the story of the sheep, and doesn't say who they are: "I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance." (15:7). Luke adds nothing to Jesus's words, and these notes don't say who the ninety-nine righteous people are, or set any person or group beside them.

The verses

“I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.”
Luke 15:7 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Luke 15

Luke 15: He was lost and is found

Luke sets Jesus's stories right after the complaint, "This man welcomes sinners" (15:2), and the first two close with joy "over one sinner" (15:7, 15:10). The father goes out to both his sons: he runs to the younger (15:20), and he comes out to the elder (15:28).

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Last reviewed October 2, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions