was . Not the past tense of the verb "die", but of the verb "to be". He had been as a dead man (Greek. nekros. App-189 ) to his father. is found = was; i.e. "when he came to himself" (Luke 15:17 ), which shows that that was the result of the father's seeking. began, &c. Contrast "began to be in want" (Luke 15:14 ). read more
But 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: and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; and he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.It will be noted that the prodigal never came out with the intended request to be made as one of his father's hired servants. It would appear that the father interrupted him before... read more
Luke 15:22. Bring forth the best robe,— It is observed by Ferrarius, that the στολη, or long robe, was a garment which servants never wore; so that his father's ordering any such garment, and especially the best, to be brought, was declaring in the most moving manner that can be imagined, how far hewas from intending to treat him like a servant. His mentioning the shoes and the ring (which were worn not only as signs of freedom, but of dignity and honour) speaks the same language. See Genesis... read more
Luke 15:23. Bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it;— And sacrifice it. Elsner. read more
Luke 15:24. This my son was dead, and is alive, &c.— It is by a very common and beautiful emblem, that vicious persons are represented as dead, both by sacred and prophane authors; (Compare 1 Timothy 5:6. Ephesians 2:1; Ephesians 5:14.) and the natural death of their children would certainly be less grievous to pious parents, than to see them abandoned to such a course as this young sinner took. Nothing so powerfully calls home the mind as distress; (see Luke 15:17.) the tense fibre then... read more
22. But the Father said, c.—The son has not said all he purposed, not so much, because the father's demonstrations had rekindled the filial, and swallowed up all servile feeling [TRENCH] (on the word "Father," see on :-), but because the father's heart is made to appear too full to listen, at that moment, to more in this strain. the best robe—Compare Zechariah 3:4 Zechariah 3:5, "Take away the filthy garments from him; behold I have clothed thee with change of raiment; and they clothed him... read more
23. the fatted calf—kept for festive occasions. read more
24. my son—now twice his son. dead . . . lost—to me; to himself—to my service, my satisfaction; to his own dignity, peace, profit. alive again . . . found—to all these. merry—(See on :-). read more
The younger son 15:11-24 read more
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E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Luke 15:23
kill it = sacrifice it. It was a sacrificial feast. read more