Luke 15:3-4

Probably many of Jesus’ hearers were shepherds since this was one of the most common occupations in Palestine. A flock of 100 sheep was fairly common for a small farmer. [Note: Jeremias, The Parables . . ., p. 133.] It was also normal for a shepherd to count his sheep every night. [Note: Liefeld, "Luke," p. 981.] The Greek word eremos can mean "wilderness" (AV), but probably it means "open pasture" (NASB) or "open country" (NIV) here. The sheep was lost because of foolishness (cf. 1 Peter 2:25). Note that all the sheep belonged to the shepherd.