Luke 15:11-32 The prodigal son

This content is being developed.

... more to be added ...

Luke 15:11 And he said, A certain man had two sons: [kjv]

ειπεν δε ανθρωπος τις ειχεν δυο υιους [gnt]

All

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

Greek: ειπεν δε ανθρωπος τις ειχεν δυο υιους

Luke 15:12 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. [kjv]

και ειπεν ο νεωτερος αυτων τω πατρι πατερ δος μοι το επιβαλλον μερος της ουσιας και ο δε διειλεν αυτοις τον βιον [gnt]

Luke 15:12

All

KJV: 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.

Greek: και ειπεν ο νεωτερος αυτων τω πατρι πατερ δος μοι το επιβαλλον μερος της ουσιας και ο δε διειλεν αυτοις τον βιον

Luke 15:13 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. [kjv]

και μετ ου πολλας ημερας συναγαγων απαντα παντα ο νεωτερος υιος απεδημησεν εις χωραν μακραν και εκει διεσκορπισεν την ουσιαν αυτου ζων ασωτως [gnt]

Luke 15:12 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. [kjv]

και ειπεν ο νεωτερος αυτων τω πατρι πατερ δος μοι το επιβαλλον μερος της ουσιας και ο δε διειλεν αυτοις τον βιον [gnt]

15:13 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. [kjv]

και μετ ου πολλας ημερας συναγαγων απαντα παντα ο νεωτερος υιος απεδημησεν εις χωραν μακραν και εκει διεσκορπισεν την ουσιαν αυτου ζων ασωτως [gnt]

The Greek word for "substance" or "ousia" is used only twice in the GNT (Greek New Testament) - in successive verses in Luke.

Luke 15:13 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. [kjv]

και μετ ου πολλας ημερας συναγαγων απαντα παντα ο νεωτερος υιος απεδημησεν εις χωραν μακραν και εκει διεσκορπισεν την ουσιαν αυτου ζων ασωτως [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "ἄσωτος" ≈ "not saved, abandoned, debauched, dissolute" from "α" ≈ "not" (negating prefix) and "σῴζω" ≈ "heal, make healthy".

"ᾰ̓σώτου" ≈ "(of) not saved" (genitive singular).
"σώτου" ≈ "(of) saved" (genitive singular) as a play on words.

The Latin word "luxuriosus" ≈ "luxuriant, exuberant, self-indulgent" has influenced many English translations.

Luke 15:13

All

KJV: 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.

Greek: και μετ ου πολλας ημερας συναγαγων απαντα παντα ο νεωτερος υιος απεδημησεν εις χωραν μακραν και εκει διεσκορπισεν την ουσιαν αυτου ζων ασωτως

Latin: et non post multos dies congregatis omnibus adulescentior filius peregre profectus est in regionem longinquam et ibi dissipavit substantiam suam vivendo luxuriose

Luke 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. [kjv]

δαπανησαντος δε αυτου παντα εγενετο λιμος ισχυρος ισχυρα κατα την χωραν εκεινην και αυτος ηρξατο υστερεισθαι [gnt]

Luke 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. [kjv]

δαπανησαντος δε αυτου παντα εγενετο λιμος ισχυρος ισχυρα κατα την χωραν εκεινην και αυτος ηρξατο υστερεισθαι [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "βουλιμία" (vu-lee-MEE-a) ≈ "ravenous hunger" is the source of the English word "bulimia" as in "bulimia nervosa", an eating disorder.

The modern Greek word "βους" (vus) ≈ "cow, ox".
The modern Greek word "λιμός" (lee-MOS) ≈ "famine, hunger".

The word is used in the story of the prodigal son.

The Latin word "fames" ≈ "famine" which is the source of the English word "famine".

Luke 15:14

All

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

Greek: δαπανησαντος δε αυτου παντα εγενετο λιμος ισχυρος ισχυρα κατα την χωραν εκεινην και αυτος ηρξατο υστερεισθαι

Latin: et postquam omnia consummasset facta est fames valida in regione illa et ipse coepit egere

Wycliffe: And aftir that he hadde endid alle thingis, a strong hungre was maad in that cuntre, and he bigan to haue nede.

Tyndale: And when he had spent all that he had ther rose a greate derth thorow out all yt same londe and he began to lacke.

Luther: Da er nun all das Seine verzehret hatte, ward eine große Teurung durch dasselbige ganze Land, und er fing an zu darben.

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

και πορευθεις εκολληθη ενι των πολιτων της χωρας εκεινης και επεμψεν αυτον εις τους αγρους αυτου βοσκειν χοιρους [gnt]

Luke 15:15

All

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

Greek: και πορευθεις εκολληθη ενι των πολιτων της χωρας εκεινης και επεμψεν αυτον εις τους αγρους αυτου βοσκειν χοιρους

Luke 15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. [kjv]

και επεθυμει γεμισαι την κοιλιαν αυτου απο χορτασθηναι εκ των κερατιων ων ησθιον οι χοιροι και ουδεις εδιδου αυτω [gnt]

Luke 15:16

All

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

Greek: και επεθυμει γεμισαι την κοιλιαν αυτου απο χορτασθηναι εκ των κερατιων ων ησθιον οι χοιροι και ουδεις εδιδου αυτω

Luke 15:17 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 ! [kjv]

εις εαυτον δε ελθων ειπεν εφη ποσοι μισθιοι του πατρος μου περισσευουσιν περισσευονται αρτων εγω δε λιμω ωδε απολλυμαι [gnt]

Luke 15:17

All

KJV: 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 !

Greek: εις εαυτον δε ελθων ειπεν εφη ποσοι μισθιοι του πατρος μου περισσευουσιν περισσευονται αρτων εγω δε λιμω ωδε απολλυμαι

Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, [kjv]

αναστας πορευσομαι προς τον πατερα μου και ερω αυτω πατερ ημαρτον εις τον ουρανον και ενωπιον σου [gnt]

[into as against]

Luke 15:18

All

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

Greek: αναστας πορευσομαι προς τον πατερα μου και ερω αυτω πατερ ημαρτον εις τον ουρανον και ενωπιον σου

Luke 15:19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. [kjv]

και ουκετι ειμι αξιος κληθηναι υιος σου ποιησον με ως ενα των μισθιων σου [gnt]

… dignus … [v]

… wurðe… [wes]

… worthi … [wy]

… wairths … [got]

… wert… [lu]

Luke 15:19

All

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

Greek: και ουκετι ειμι αξιος κληθηναι υιος σου ποιησον με ως ενα των μισθιων σου

Latin: et iam non sum dignus vocari filius tuus fac me sicut unum de mercennariis tuis

Wessex: nu ich ne eom wurðe. þt ic beo þin sune ge-nemned. do me swa ane of þinen yrðlingen.

Wycliffe: and now Y am not worthi to be clepid thi sone, make me as oon of thin hirid men.

Gothic: ju thanaseiths ni im wairths ei haitaidau sunus theins; gatawei mik swe ainana asnje theinaize.

Luther: und bin fort nicht mehr wert, daß ich dein Sohn heiße; mache mich zu einem deiner Tagelöhner.

Luke 15:20 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. [kjv]

και αναστας ηλθεν προς τον πατερα εαυτου ετι δε αυτου μακραν απεχοντος ειδεν αυτον ο πατηρ αυτου και εσπλαγχνισθη και δραμων επεπεσεν επι τον τραχηλον αυτου και κατεφιλησεν αυτον [gnt]

Luke 15:20

All

KJV: 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.

Greek: και αναστας ηλθεν προς τον πατερα εαυτου ετι δε αυτου μακραν απεχοντος ειδεν αυτον ο πατηρ αυτου και εσπλαγχνισθη και δραμων επεπεσεν επι τον τραχηλον αυτου και κατεφιλησεν αυτον

Luke 15:21 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. [kjv]

ειπεν δε αυτω ο υιος αυτω πατερ ημαρτον εις τον ουρανον και ενωπιον σου και ουκετι ειμι αξιος κληθηναι υιος σου ποιησον με ως ενα των μισθιων σου [gnt]

Luke 15:21

All

KJV: 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.

Greek: ειπεν δε αυτω ο υιος αυτω πατερ ημαρτον εις τον ουρανον και ενωπιον σου και ουκετι ειμι αξιος κληθηναι υιος σου ποιησον με ως ενα των μισθιων σου

Luke 15:22 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: [kjv]

ειπεν δε ο πατηρ προς τους δουλους αυτου ταχυ εξενεγκατε την στολην την πρωτην και ενδυσατε αυτον και δοτε δακτυλιον εις την χειρα αυτου και υποδηματα εις τους ποδας [gnt]

Luke 15:22

All

KJV: 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:

Greek: ειπεν δε ο πατηρ προς τους δουλους αυτου ταχυ εξενεγκατε την στολην την πρωτην και ενδυσατε αυτον και δοτε δακτυλιον εις την χειρα αυτου και υποδηματα εις τους ποδας

Luke 15:23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: [kjv]

και ενεγκαντες φερετε τον μοσχον τον σιτευτον θυσατε και φαγοντες ευφρανθωμεν [gnt]

Luke 15:23

All

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

Greek: και ενεγκαντες φερετε τον μοσχον τον σιτευτον θυσατε και φαγοντες ευφρανθωμεν

Luke 15:24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. [kjv]

οτι ουτος ο υιος μου νεκρος ην και ανεζησεν και ην απολωλως ην και ευρεθη και ηρξαντο ευφραινεσθαι [gnt]

Luke 15:24

All

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

Greek: οτι ουτος ο υιος μου νεκρος ην και ανεζησεν και ην απολωλως ην και ευρεθη και ηρξαντο ευφραινεσθαι

Luke 15:25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. [kjv]

ην δε ο υιος αυτου ο πρεσβυτερος εν αγρω και ως ερχομενος ηγγισεν τη οικια ηκουσεν συμφωνιας και χορων [gnt]

Luke 15:25

All

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

Greek: ην δε ο υιος αυτου ο πρεσβυτερος εν αγρω και ως ερχομενος ηγγισεν τη οικια ηκουσεν συμφωνιας και χορων

Luke 15:26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. [kjv]

και προσκαλεσαμενος ενα των παιδων αυτου επυνθανετο τι αν ειη ταυτα [gnt]

Luke 15:26

All

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

Greek: και προσκαλεσαμενος ενα των παιδων αυτου επυνθανετο τι αν ειη ταυτα

Luke 15:27 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. [kjv]

ο δε ειπεν αυτω οτι ο αδελφος σου ηκει και εθυσεν ο πατηρ σου τον μοσχον τον σιτευτον οτι υγιαινοντα αυτον απελαβεν [gnt]

Luke 15:27

All

KJV: 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.

Greek: ο δε ειπεν αυτω οτι ο αδελφος σου ηκει και εθυσεν ο πατηρ σου τον μοσχον τον σιτευτον οτι υγιαινοντα αυτον απελαβεν

Luke 15:28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. [kjv]

ωργισθη δε και ουκ ηθελεν εισελθειν ο ουν δε πατηρ αυτου εξελθων παρεκαλει αυτον [gnt]

Luke 15:28

All

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

Greek: ωργισθη δε και ουκ ηθελεν εισελθειν ο ουν δε πατηρ αυτου εξελθων παρεκαλει αυτον

Luke 15:29 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: [kjv]

ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν τω πατρι αυτου ιδου τοσαυτα ετη δουλευω σοι και ουδεποτε εντολην σου παρηλθον και εμοι ουδεποτε εδωκας εριφον ινα μετα των φιλων μου ευφρανθω [gnt]

The modern Greek word used in this verse is the modern Greek word "εριφίον" (eh-ree-FEE-on) ≈ "young goat, kid goat". That is, a "goat" that is not mature.

This type of "kid goat" appears in the parable of the "desolate son", the "prodigal son", the "two brothers", the "ever forgiving father", or some other name.

The idea that it is very important to have "friends" was a main tenet of the Greek philosopher Epicurus whose ideas, not from the Bible, are still heard in sermons at many churches today.

Details are left as a future topic.

More: Matthew 25:31-46 Parable of the sheep and goats

Luke 15:29

All

KJV: 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:

Greek: ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν τω πατρι αυτου ιδου τοσαυτα ετη δουλευω σοι και ουδεποτε εντολην σου παρηλθον και εμοι ουδεποτε εδωκας εριφον ινα μετα των φιλων μου ευφρανθω

Luke 15:30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. [kjv]

οτε δε ο υιος σου ουτος ο καταφαγων σου τον βιον μετα πορνων ηλθεν εθυσας αυτω τον μοσχον τον σιτευτον μοσχον [gnt]

Luke 15:30

All

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

Greek: οτε δε ο υιος σου ουτος ο καταφαγων σου τον βιον μετα πορνων ηλθεν εθυσας αυτω τον μοσχον τον σιτευτον μοσχον

Luke 15:31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. [kjv]

ο δε ειπεν αυτω τεκνον συ παντοτε μετ εμου ει και παντα τα εμα σα εστιν [gnt]

Luke 15:31

All

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

Greek: ο δε ειπεν αυτω τεκνον συ παντοτε μετ εμου ει και παντα τα εμα σα εστιν

Luke 15:32 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. [kjv]

ευφρανθηναι δε και χαρηναι εδει οτι ο αδελφος σου ουτος νεκρος ην και ανεζησεν εζησεν και απολωλως ην και ευρεθη [gnt]

Luke 15:32

All

KJV: 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.

Greek: ευφρανθηναι δε και χαρηναι εδει οτι ο αδελφος σου ουτος νεκρος ην και ανεζησεν εζησεν και απολωλως ην και ευρεθη