Luke 15

Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

And he said, A certain man had two sons:

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.

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.

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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.

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.

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:

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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:

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

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

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.

What does Luke 15:22 mean?

Explanation

Luke 15:22 features in the parable of the Prodigal Son, one of the most famous parables told by Jesus in the New Testament.

In this verse, the father responds to his younger son’s return after the son had squandered his inheritance in a far country on a life of sin.

Upon his return, instead of condemnation or punishment, the son is met with mercy and love.

The father commands his servants to bring out the best robe, put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet, signifying full restoration to his position in the family.

The robe represents honor, the ring signifies authority and sonship, and the shoes denote the dignity of a free man, as opposed to a slave who would often be barefoot.

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Historical Context

This verse is set within the larger context of Jesus teaching to a mixed audience that included both Jewish religious leaders and "sinners." At the time, Jewish cultural and religious norms held strict views about purity, association with sinners, and the consequences of leaving one’s family and community.

The younger son's actions in the parable would have been seen as disgraceful, and the expectation might have been for the father to reject him.

However, Jesus uses this story to illustrate the character of God and His willingness to forgive and restore those who have sinned, turning traditional expectations on their head.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, the father in the story symbolizes God. The robe, ring, and shoes in Luke 15:22 are seen as symbols of God’s grace, with the father clothing the son not in rags befitting his behavior, but in garments demonstrating love and acceptance.

Theologians interpret this restoration as emblematic of how God receives repentant sinners.

The son's return to the father is sometimes seen as a symbol of repentance and conversion.

The father's actions stand in sharp contrast to the older brother, who later expresses anger and resentment, which scholars often view as representing the self-righteous or the Pharisaical attitude of Jesus’ day.

Practical Applications

This verse can be applied to daily life as a reminder of the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation. When someone wrongs us or falls short of our expectations, we can respond with grace instead of judgment.

The verse challenges individuals to reflect on how they treat others who have made mistakes and emphasizes the potential for restoration and new beginnings. It also speaks to those who feel they have strayed too far to be forgiven, offering hope for reconciliation.

Cross-References

Luke 15:11-32: The context of the entire Parable of the Prodigal Son.
2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Zechariah 3:3-4: Joshua the high priest is clothed with clean garments, symbolizing forgiveness and restoration.
Galatians 3:26-27: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

Revelation 3:5: “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”

Language Study

In the original Greek, notable terms in this verse include:

"Best robe" (στολὴν τὴν πρώτην, stolēn tēn prōtēn): The word “stolēn” indicates a long, flowing garment, often associated with dignity and honor.
"Ring" (δακτύλιον, daktylion): This likely refers to a signet ring, which would have authenticated documents and signified familial authority and wealth.
"Shoes" (ὑποδήματα, hypodēmata): Being given shoes was significant, as slaves typically did not wear shoes, thus it symbolized a status as a free person and a member of the household.

These terms and their original language nuances emphasize the full restoration of the son’s status within the family.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Several cultures have legends or stories of lost sons or daughters being restored. In the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh, for example, the hero undergoes a transformative journey and returns with wisdom.

However, the prodigal son story cuts across these by emphasizing unmerited favor and the joy of restoration. The father’s reaction contrasts with many ancient and modern notions of justice that would require retribution or restitution.

In other religious contexts, the theme of forgiveness might be present, but the radical grace illustrated in the Christian interpretation of this parable is somewhat unique, particularly with its disregard for the elder son's merit-based concept of justice.

Scientific Perspectives

Science primarily deals with empirical observation, and thus does not directly intersect with the literary and theological elements of this verse.

However, psychological studies on forgiveness and reconciliation may offer a viewpoint on the benefits of the father's compassionate approach, suggesting that it could lead to improved mental health and social harmony, which reinforces the practical wisdom of the teachings in the parable.

Commentaries

Various biblical commentators and experts have deliberated on this verse, highlighting its significance within the gospel message.

William Barclay notes the sheer grace of the father’s welcome and the cultural shock this story would have initially caused.

John MacArthur emphasizes the sovereignty and love of God in the father’s willingness to restore his son.

Matthew Henry reflects on the embrace of a repentant sinner by a loving God, describing the richness of the Gospel that this parable conveys.

Collectively, commentators affirm the father's actions in this verse as a powerful illustration of God's redemptive love and forgiveness.

Luke 15

Luke 15

What does Luke 15:22 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 15:22 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?