to . Greek. pros. App-104 . sinned . App-128 . against . Greek. eis. App-104 . heaven. Singular with Art. See notes on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 . "Heaven" put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for God Himself. before. Greek. enopion. Same word as in Luke 15:10 "in the presence of". read more
am no more worthy = I no longer deserve. make me. Contrast "give me " (Luke 15:12 ). read more
came to his father . Compare "came to himself" (Luke 15:17 ). his = his own. and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ). ran . Compare Isaiah 6:6 , "Then flew". See note on Luke 15:21 , and compare Isaiah 65:24 . kissed = fervently kissed. Same word as in Matthew 26:49 . read more
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.A good resolution is the beginning of a better life; and all of the ultimate restoration of this prodigal turned upon this resolution and his prompt execution of it.I have sinned against heaven ... There is a great depth of perception in this. Sin has a dreadful recoil against the sinner, being against... read more
And 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. And 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.The inimitable Charles Hodge, distinguished preacher and author, has written a book on, "Will God Run?" giving the answer as "Yes! Yes! God will run! To save them who come unto him." The only one who came to... read more
Luke 15:17-19. When he came to himself, &c.— That is, to a true sense, through grace, of his present state, and the right use of his reason, which had before been dethroned and extinguished by the mad intoxications of sensual pleasure. When he says, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, means, that God was, (speaking after the manner of men) injured or insulted by his sins; and injured also in the person of his earthly father; and certainly the common sentiment of mankind teaches... read more
Luke 15:20. When he was yet a great way off,— But he keeping yet at a distance. When he came within sight of home, his nakedness, and the consciousness of his folly, made him ashamed togo in; he skulked about, therefore, keeping at a distance, till his father spied him, and shewed the most affecting paternal kindness towards him. But see on Luke 15:24. read more
18. I will arise and go to my FATHER —The change has come at last, and what a change!—couched in terms of such exquisite simplicity and power as if expressly framed for all heart-broken penitents. Father, c.—Mark the term. Though "no more worthy to be called his son," the prodigal sinner is taught to claim the defiled, but still existing relationship, asking not to be made a servant, but remaining a son to be made "as a servant," willing to take the lowest place and do the meanest work. Ah! and... read more
20. a great way off—Oh yes, when but the face is turned homeward, though as yet far, far away, our Father recognizes His own child in us, and bounds to meet us—not saying, Let him come to Me and sue for pardon first, but Himself taking the first step. fell on his neck and kissed him—What! In all his filth? Yes. In all his rags? Yes. In all his haggard, shattered wretchedness? Yes. "Our Father who art in heaven," is this Thy portraiture? It is even so ( :-). And because it is so, I wonder not... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Luke 15:1-32
102. Lost sheep; lost coin; lost son (Luke 15:1-32)Jesus told these three short stories to answer the scribes and Pharisees, who had complained that he mixed with tax collectors and other low class people. The more respectable Jews considered such people unworthy of God’s blessings. They were angry that Jesus showed interest in them and that many of them responded to his message (Luke 15:1-2).The stories of the lost sheep and the lost coin show that God does more than welcome sinners; he... read more