Luke 15:20-24 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 15:11-32

We have here the parable of the prodigal son, the scope of which is the same with those before, to show how pleasing to God the conversion of sinners is, of great sinners, and how ready he is to receive and entertain such, upon their repentance; but the circumstances of the parable do much more largely and fully set forth the riches of gospel grace than those did, and it has been, and will be while the world stands, of unspeakable use to poor sinners, both to direct and to encourage them in... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 15:11-32

15:11-32 Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the part of the estate which falls to me.' So his father divided his living between them. Not many days after, the son realized it all and went away to a far country, and there in wanton recklessness scattered his substance. When he had spent everything a mighty famine arose throughout that country and he began to be in want. He went and attached himself to a citizen of that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 15:20

And he arose ,.... This shows that his resolution to arise was not of nature, but of grace, by its being put into execution; for it was made and executed, not in his own strength, but in another's. He did not confer with flesh and blood; nor listen to discouragements which might present; as the distance of the way, the danger in it, the cold reception, if not rejection, he might expect from his father: but he arose immediately; he arose and stood upon his feet, in obedience to the heavenly... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 15:21

And the son said unto him, father ,.... Or "my father", as the Syriac version reads; and the Persic version adds, "pardon me": sin lay heavy on him, and he wanted a view and application of pardoning grace, though he seems to be prevented making this request by the kiss he received from his father: I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight ; this is what he determined to say, and was allowed to say, having a deep sense of his sin and vileness, and which was increased by the love and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 15:22

But the father said to his servants ,.... The word "but", with which those words begin, is expressive of much grace, as it often is; see 1 Corinthians 6:11 and signifies, that though the son had behaved so badly, and was now so sensible of it himself, as that he desired to be a hired servant, being unworthy to be called a son; but the "father", against whom he had sinned, would hear nothing of it: but said to his servants ; not the angels, but the ministers of the Gospel; who are the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 15:23

And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it,.... By which Christ is designed, in allusion to the calves offered in sacrifice, which were offered for sin offerings, and for peace offerings, and for burnt offerings; and were one of the sacrifices on the day of atonement: so Christ has offered up himself in soul and body, freely and voluntarily, in the room and stead of his people, an offering and sacrifice to God, of a sweet smelling savour; which is well pleasing to him, and effectual to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 15:24

For this my son was dead ,.... These words contain the reasons of the above entertainment, and of all that spiritual joy and mirth; in which the father acknowledges the returning penitent as his son; though he had behaved so wickedly before, and though he judged himself unworthy of the relation; and this he did, by sending the Spirit of adoption into his heart, to witness his sonship to him; and takes notice of his past state and condition, to show the great reason there was for joy, at his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 15:20

And kissed him - Or, kissed him again and again; the proper import of καταεφιλησεν αυτον . The father thus showed his great tenderness towards him, and his great affection for him. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 15:21

Bring forth the best robe - Bring out that chief garment, την στολην την πρωτην , the garment which was laid by, to be used only on birth-days or festival times. Such as that which Rebecca had laid by for Esau, and which she put on Jacob when she made him personate his brother. See the notes on Genesis 27:15 . Put a ring on his hand - Giving a ring was in ancient times a mark of honor and dignity. See Genesis 41:42 ; 1 Kings 21:8 ; Esther 8:2 ; Daniel 6:17 ; James 2:2 . ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 15:23

The fatted calf, and kill it - Θυσατε , Sacrifice it. In ancient times the animals provided for public feasts were first sacrificed to God. The blood of the beast being poured out before God, by way of atonement for sin, the flesh was considered as consecrated, and the guests were considered as feeding on Divine food. This custom is observed among the Asiatics to this day. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Luke 15:11-32

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Luke 15:11-32

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 15:20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 15:21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 15:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 15:23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 15:24

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 15:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 15:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 15:23

Group of Brands