ASV
Luke 15
1Now all the publicans and sinners were drawing near unto him to hear him.
2And both the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3And he spake unto them this parable, saying,
4What man of you, having a hundred sheep, and having lost one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and his neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7I say unto you, that even so there shall be joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, [more] than over ninety and nine righteous persons, who need no repentance.
8Or what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a lamp, and sweep the house, and seek diligently until she find it?
9And when she hath found it, she calleth together her friends and neighbors, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10Even so, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
11And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of [thy] substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country; and there he wasted his substance with riotous living.
14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.
15And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger!
18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight:
19I am no more worthy to be called your son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son .
22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23and bring the fatted calf, [and] kill it, and let us eat, and make merry:
24for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing.
26And he called to him one of the servants, and inquired what these things might be.
27And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28But he was angry, and would not go in: and his father came out, and entreated him.
29But he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine; and [yet] thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30but when this thy son came, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou killedst for him the fatted calf.
31And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that is mine is thine.
32But it was meet to make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive [again] ; and [was] lost, and is found.
Study This Passage
Key Words and Topics
These study connections are drawn from the internal BSB concordance and topical index imported into Daily Bread Intake.
Key Words in This Passage
Select a word to open the full concordance search.
Related Topics
Afflictions and Adversities: Benefits of, Illustrated Luke 15:11–24
Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. / The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. / After a few days, the younger son got everything together and journeyed to a distant country, where he squandered his wealth in wild living.
Afflictions and Adversities: Prodigal Son Luke 15:21
The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
Afflictions Made Beneficial in Convincing Us of Sin Luke 15:16–18
He longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him a thing. / Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food? But here I am, starving to death! / I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
Afflictions Made Beneficial: Prodigal's Son Luke 15:21
The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
Angel (A Spirit): A Celestial Spirit: Have Knowledge of, and Interest In, Earthly Affairs Luke 15:7, 10
In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent. / In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
Angel (A Spirit): Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Luke 15:7, 10
In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent. / In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
Angels Rejoice Luke 15:7
In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.
Angels: Rejoice Over Every Repentant Sinner Luke 15:7, 10
In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent. / In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
Being Positive Luke 15:7
In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.
Bigotry of Keeping Company with Sinners Luke 15:2
So the Pharisees and scribes began to grumble: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Bigotry: General Scriptures Concerning Luke 15:2
So the Pharisees and scribes began to grumble: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Celebration Luke 15:23, 24
Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate. / For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.
Children: Could Demand Their Portion During Father's Life Luke 15:12
The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
Compassion and Sympathy: Illustrated Luke 15:20
So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
Confession of Sin: Illustrated Luke 15:21
The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
Conversion of Sinners, a Cause of Joy: To God Luke 15:32
But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
Converting People Luke 15:10
In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”
Dancing: General Scriptures Concerning Luke 15:23–25
Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate. / For this son of mine was dead and is alive again! He was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate. / Meanwhile the older son was in the field, and as he approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
Doing Good Luke 15:7
In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent.
Employee: Kindness To Luke 15:17, 19
Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food? But here I am, starving to death! / I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’
Employee: Oppressions of Luke 15:15, 16
So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. / He longed to fill his belly with the pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him a thing.
Entertainments: Given on Occasions of Return of Friends Luke 15:23
Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate.
Entertainments: Music and Dancing often Introduced At Luke 15:25
Meanwhile the older son was in the field, and as he approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
Entertainments: Preparations Made For Luke 15:23
Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate.
Select a topic to open the full topical search.
Bible Dictionary
Related Dictionary Terms
Explore people, places, themes, and biblical terms connected to this passage.
Commentary Insights
Study and Reflection
Explore devotional and study commentary connected to this passage.
Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
Pastoral and devotional reflections focused on spiritual formation and application.
Luke 15:1-10 Verses 1-10
The parable of the lost sheep is very applicable to the great work of man's redemption. The lost sheep represents the sinner as departed from God, and exposed to certain ruin if not brought back to him, yet not desirous to return. Christ is earnest in bringing sinners home. In the parable of the lost piece of silver, that which is lost, is one piece, of small value compared with the rest. Yet the woman seeks diligently till she finds it. This represents the various means and methods God makes use of to bring lost souls home to himself, and the Saviour's joy on their return to him. How careful then should we be that our repentance is unto salvation!
Luke 15:11-16 Verses 11-16
The parable of the prodigal son shows the nature of repentance, and the Lord's readiness to welcome and bless all who return to him. It fully sets forth the riches of gospel grace; and it has been, and will be, while the world stands, of unspeakable use to poor sinners, to direct and to encourage them in repenting and returning to God. It is bad, and the beginning of worse, when men look upon God's gifts as debts due to them. The great folly of sinners, and that which ruins them, is, being content in their life-time to receive their good things. Our first parents ruined themselves and all their race, by a foolish ambition to be independent, and this is at the bottom of sinners' persisting in their sin. We may all discern some features of our own characters in that of the prodigal son. A sinful state is of departure and distance from God. A sinful state is a spending state: wilful sinners misemploy their thoughts and the powers of their souls, mispend their time and all their opportunities. A sinful state is a wanting state. Sinners want necessaries for their souls; they have neither food nor raiment for them, nor any provision for hereafter. A sinful state is a vile, slavish state. The business of the devil's servants is to make provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof, and that is no better than feeding swine. A sinful state is a state constant discontent. The wealth of the world and the pleasures of the senses will not even satisfy our bodies; but what are they to precious souls! A sinful state is a state which cannot look for relief from any creature. In vain do we cry to the world and to the flesh; they have that which will poison a soul, but have nothing to give which will feed and nourish it. A sinful state is a state of death. A sinner is dead in trespasses and sins, destitute of spiritual life. A sinful state is a lost state. Souls that are separated from God, if his mercy prevent not, will soon be lost for ever. The prodigal's wretched state, only faintly shadows forth the awful ruin of man by sin. Yet how few are sensible of their own state and character!
Luke 15:17-24 Verses 17-24
Having viewed the prodigal in his abject state of misery, we are next to consider his recovery from it. This begins by his coming to himself. That is a turning point in the sinner's conversion. The Lord opens his eyes, and convinces him of sin; then he views himself and every object, in a different light from what he did before. Thus the convinced sinner perceives that the meanest servant of God is happier than he is. To look unto God as a Father, and our Father, will be of great use in our repentance and return to him. The prodigal arose, nor stopped till he reached his home. Thus the repenting sinner resolutely quits the bondage of Satan and his lusts, and returns to God by prayer, notwithstanding fears and discouragements. The Lord meets him with unexpected tokens of his forgiving love. Again; the reception of the humbled sinner is like that of the prodigal. He is clothed in the robe of the Redeemer's righteousness, made partaker of the Spirit of adoption, prepared by peace of conscience and gospel grace to walk in the ways of holiness, and feasted with Divine consolations. Principles of grace and holiness are wrought in him, to do, as well as to will.
Luke 15:25-32 Verses 25-32
In the latter part of this parable we have the character of the Pharisees, though not of them alone. It sets forth the kindness of the Lord, and the proud manner in which his gracious kindness is often received. The Jews, in general, showed the same spirit towards the converted Gentiles; and numbers in every age object to the gospel and its preachers, on the same ground. What must that temper be, which stirs up a man to despise and abhor those for whom the Saviour shed his precious blood, who are objects of the Father's choice, and temples of the Holy Ghost! This springs from pride, self-preference, and ignorance of a man's own heart. The mercy and grace of our God in Christ, shine almost as bright in his tender and gentle bearing with peevish saints, as his receiving prodigal sinners upon their repentance. It is the unspeakable happiness of all the children of God, who keep close to their Father's house, that they are, and shall be ever with him. Happy will it be for those who thankfully accept Christ's invitation.