Why does every commentator seem to have a different view of what the 99 sheep in luke 15.4 represent?

Poole: the 99 are saints in heaven

Henry: (a bit vague) the 99 are SAFE in the wilderness still in the Shepherd's care

Gill: the 99 are self-righteous Jews, externally 'just' and 'righteous' - hence the context of criticism of CHrist for eating with sinners (outwardly and conspicuously sinful men and women)

Preacher's Homiletic: Agrees with Gill that the 99 are those who have never risen above 'mere legal obedience'. None of the other quotes touch the 99.

I feel sympathy with Gill's view. The sheep are not 'in the fold', they're just out in the wilderness. I don't see any suipport for Henry's weird remark that they are 'safe' in the wilderness!

thoughts?

__________________
Jonathan Hunt

Preaching Elder
Cheltenham Evangelical Free Church (Confessionally Based)
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

Logic is a systematic method of coming to the wrong conclusion with confidence.
-- Thomas Elsworth