Luke 15:16

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 15:16

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks ,.... חרובא , the fruit of the "Charub" tree, as the Syriac version interprets it; and which the Jews F25 T. Hieros. Maascrot, fol. 50. 2. say is מאכל בהמה , "the food of beasts": though, according to what is elsewhere said of it, it should be the food of men also. It is said F26 T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 33. 2. of R. Simeon ben Jochai, and his son, that they hid themselves in a cave for fear of the king, and a miracle was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Luke 15:16

With the husks - Κερατιων . Bochart, I think, has proved that κερατια does not mean husks: to signify which the Greek botanical writers use the word λοβοι ; several examples of which he gives from Theophrastus. He shows, also, that the original word means the fruit of the ceratonia or charub tree, which grows plentifully in Syria. This kind of pulse, Columella observes, was made use of to feed swine. See Bochart, Hieroz. lib. ii. cap. lvi. col. 707-10. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 15:1-32

The Lord speaks his three parable-stories of the "lost," in which he explains his reason for loving and receiving the sinful. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 15:11-32

The parable of the prodigal son. This parable is at once a history, a poem, and a prophecy, A history of man in innocence, in sin, in redemption, in glory. A poem—the song of salvation, whose refrain, "My son was dead, and is alive again, was lost, and is found," is ringing through the courts of the Zion of God. A prophecy, speaking most directly and solemnly, in warning and meditation, emphasis of reproof or of encouragement, to each of us. It is beyond the reach of the scalpel of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Luke 15:11-32

"From home, and back." The two previous parables which our Lord related in defence of his conduct are really but introductory to what has been with justice called "the pearl of parables," that of the prodigal son. To it we will now devote ourselves, under the title recently given to it as "From home, and back." It brings out in a most interesting way the attitude of God the Father towards lost souls. It is necessary before setting out, however, to notice that, according to the ancient Law,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 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 . So low was this poor lost man reduced, that in his bitter hunger he even came to long for the coarse but nutritious bean with which the herd was fed. These swine were of some value when fattened for the market; but he, the swineherd, was valueless—he might starve. The husks in question were the long bean-shaped pods of the carob tree ( Caratonia siliqua ) , commonly used for... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Luke 15:16

He would fain - He would gladly. He desired to do it.The husks - The word “husks” with us denotes the outward covering of grain. In this there is little nourishment, and it is evident that this is not intended here; but the word used here denotes not only “husks,” but also leguminous plants, as beans, etc. It is also used to denote the fruit of a tree called the “carob or kharub-tree,” which is common in Ionia, Syria, and Rhodes. The tree is more bushy and thick set than the apple tree, and the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Luke 15:13-16

Luke 15:13-16. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together Having gotten possession of his fortune, he lost no time, but, gathering together all he had, took his journey into a far country That he might be wholly from under the eye of his parent, who was a person of great piety, and be freed from the restraints of religion, he went into a distant land, among the heathen, (Luke 15:15,) where was neither the knowledge nor worship of God, choosing such companions as were... read more

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