Back to Luke 15

Luke 15:25-31

“Now his elder son was in the field. As he came near to the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the servants to him, and asked what was going on. He said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and healthy.’ But he was angry, and would not go in. Therefore his father came out, and begged him. But he answered his father, ‘Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this your son came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’

“He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

World English Bible · Public Domain
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Luke 15:25-31 sits inside this longer paragraph.

“Now his elder son was in the field. As he came near to the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the servants to him, and asked what was going on. He said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and healthy.’ But he was angry, and would not go in. Therefore his father came out, and begged him. But he answered his father, ‘Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this your son came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’

“He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ ”

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Parallel Translations

  • WEB World English Bible

    “Now his elder son was in the field. As he came near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

    He called one of the servants to him, and asked what was going on.

    He said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and healthy.’

    But he was angry, and would not go in. Therefore his father came out, and begged him.

    But he answered his father, ‘Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.

    But when this your son came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’

    “He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

  • TYNDALE Tyndale New Testament (1534)

    The elder brother was in the felde and when he cam and drewe nye to the housse he herde minstrelcy and daunsynge

    and called one of his servauntes and axed what thoose thinges meate.

    And he sayd vnto him: thy brother is come and thy father had kylled the fatted caulfe because he hath receaved him safe and sounde.

    And he was angry and wolde not goo in. Then came his father out and entreated him.

    He answered and sayde to his father: Loo these many yeares have I done the service nether brake at eny tyme thy commaundment and yet gavest thou me never soo moche as a kyd to make mery with my lovers:

    but assone as this thy sonne was come which hath devoured thy goodes with harlootes thou haste for his pleasure kylled the fatted caulfe.

    And he sayd vnto him: Sonne thou wast ever with me and all that I have is thyne:

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  • GNV Geneva Bible (1599)

    Nowe the elder brother was in the fielde, and when he came and drewe neere to the house, he heard melodie, and dauncing,

    And called one of his seruaunts, and asked what those things meant.

    And hee sayde vnto him, Thy brother is come, and thy father hath killed the fatte calfe, because he hath receiued him safe and sound.

    Then he was angry, and would not goe in: therefore came his father out and entreated him.

    But he answered and said to his father, Loe, these many yeeres haue I done thee seruice, neither brake I at any time thy commadement, and yet thou neuer gauest mee a kidde that I might make merie with my friends.

    But when this thy sonne was come, which hath deuoured thy good with harlots, thou hast for his sake killed the fat calfe.

    And he said vnto him, Sonne, thou art euer with me, and al that I haue, is thine. It was meete that we shoulde make merie, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is aliue againe: and hee was lost, but he is found.

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Cross-references (69)

  • Mark 7:27-28 (v31) But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”…
  • Romans 9:4 (v31) who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service, and the promises;
  • Romans 11:1 (v31) I ask then, did God reject his people? May it never be! For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
  • 1 Samuel 18:8 (v28) Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have creditd David with ten thousands, and they have only credited me…
  • Matthew 20:13-16 (v31) “But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me for a denarius? Take that which is yours, and go…
Show all 68 cross-references
  • Genesis 4:5-7 (v28) but he didn’t respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell. Yahweh said to Cain, “Why are you…
  • Proverbs 29:3 (v30) Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father; but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
  • Jonah 4:9 (v28) God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the vine?” He said, “I am right to be angry, even to death.”
  • Luke 15:2 (v28) The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.”
  • Luke 15:12-13 (v30) The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ He divided his livelihood between them. Not many days…
  • Isaiah 65:5 (vv28–29) who say, ‘Stay by yourself, don’t come near to me, for I am holier than you.’ These are smoke in my nose, a fire that burns all day.
  • Psalms 150:4 (v25) Praise him with tambourine and dancing! Praise him with stringed instruments and flute!
  • Jeremiah 31:4 (v25) I will build you again, and you will be built, O virgin of Israel. You will again be adorned with your tambourines, and will go out in the…
  • Jonah 4:1-4 (v28) But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry. He prayed to Yahweh, and said, “Please, Yahweh, wasn’t this what I said when I was…
  • Zechariah 7:3 (v29) and to speak to the priests of the house of Yahweh of Armies, and to the prophets, saying, “Should I weep in the fifth month, separating…
  • Malachi 3:14 (v29) You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God;’ and ‘What profit is it that we have followed his instructions, and that we have walked mournfully…
  • Luke 7:39 (v28) Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what…
  • Luke 13:34 (v28) “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children…
  • Luke 15:7 (v29) I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no…
  • Luke 15:32 (v30) But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’ ”
  • Luke 18:11 (v30) The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unrighteous,…
  • Luke 18:11-12 (v29) The Pharisee stood and prayed to himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men, extortionists, unrighteous,…
  • Exodus 15:20 (v25) Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with…
  • Exodus 32:7 (v30) Yahweh spoke to Moses, “Go, get down; for your people, who you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves!
  • Exodus 32:11 (v30) Moses begged Yahweh his God, and said, “Yahweh, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, that you have brought out of the land of…
  • 1 Samuel 15:13-14 (v29) Samuel came to Saul; and Saul said to him, “You are blessed by Yahweh! I have performed the commandment of Yahweh.” Samuel said, “Then what…
  • 1 Samuel 17:28 (v28) Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger burned against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? With…
  • 2 Samuel 6:14 (v25) David danced before Yahweh with all his might; and David was clothed in a linen ephod.
  • Psalms 126:1 (v25) When Yahweh brought back those who returned to Zion, we were like those who dream.
  • Psalms 149:3 (v25) Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp!
  • Ecclesiastes 3:4 (v25) a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
  • Isaiah 66:5 (v28) Hear Yahweh’s word, you who tremble at his word: “Your brothers who hate you, who cast you out for my name’s sake, have said, ‘Let Yahweh…
  • Malachi 1:12-13 (v29) “But you profane it, in that you say, ‘Yahweh’s table is polluted, and its fruit, even its food, is contemptible.’ You say also, ‘Behold,…
  • Matthew 20:11 (v28) When they received it, they murmured against the master of the household,
  • Matthew 20:12 (v29) saying, ‘These last have spent one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat!’
  • Luke 5:30 (v28) Their scribes and the Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?”
  • Luke 7:32 (v25) They are like children who sit in the marketplace, and call to one another, saying, ‘We piped to you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned, and…
  • Luke 15:11-12 (v25) He said, “A certain man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ He divided his…
  • Luke 15:22-23 (v30) “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe, and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet. Bring…
  • Luke 15:30 (v27) But when this your son came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’
  • Luke 17:10 (v29) Even so you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.’ ”
  • Luke 18:9 (v29) He spoke also this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others.
  • Luke 18:20-21 (v29) You know the commandments: ‘Don’t commit adultery,’ ‘Don’t murder,’ ‘Don’t steal,’ ‘Don’t give false testimony,’ ‘Honor your father and…
  • Luke 19:21 (v29) for I feared you, because you are an exacting man. You take up that which you didn’t lay down, and reap that which you didn’t sow.’
  • Luke 24:47 (v28) and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
  • Acts 9:17 (v27) Ananias departed and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by…
  • Acts 13:45 (v28) But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.
  • Acts 14:2 (v28) But the disbelieving Jews stirred up and embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers.
  • Acts 22:13 (v27) came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ In that very hour I looked up at him.
  • Romans 7:9 (v29) I was alive apart from the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
  • Romans 10:19 (v28) But I ask, didn’t Israel know? First Moses says, “I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation. I will make you angry with a…
  • Philippians 3:4-6 (v29) though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more:…
  • Philemon 1:16 (v27) no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much rather to you, both in the flesh and in the…
  • 1 John 1:8-10 (v29) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to…
  • Revelation 2:17 (v29) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I…
  • Revelation 3:17 (v29) Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;’ and don’t know that you are the wretched one, miserable,…
  • Psalms 30:11 (v25) You have turned my mourning into dancing for me. You have removed my sackcloth, and clothed me with gladness,
  • Isaiah 58:2-3 (v29) Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways. As a nation that did righteousness, and didn’t forsake the ordinance of their God,…
  • Luke 19:22-23 (v31) “He said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant! You knew that I am an exacting man, taking up that which I…
  • Acts 13:50 (v28) But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and…
  • Acts 14:19 (v28) But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there, and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city,…
  • Acts 22:21-22 (v28) “He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you out far from here to the Gentiles.’” They listened to him until he said that; then they lifted…
  • Romans 3:20 (v29) Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight; for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
  • Romans 3:27 (v29) Where then is the boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.
  • Romans 10:3 (v29) For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they didn’t subject themselves to the…
  • Romans 11:35 (v31) “Or who has first given to him, and it will be repaid to him again?”
  • 2 Corinthians 5:20 (v28) We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:16 (v28) forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, to fill up their sins always. But wrath has come on them to the uttermost.

68 distinct cross-references across this passage (69 total citations).

Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)

Explain this passage (18 sources)

Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.

Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v25 Such as truly fear God, desire to have all…

Such as truly fear God, desire to have all men to be their fellows.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.

John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv25–31 25 Now his elder son was in the field:…
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On v25 This last part of the parable is not so…
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On v25 By the murmuring of the elder son at the…
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv25–31 Now his elder son was in the field,.... By…
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv25, 27, 28, 29, 31 The elder son seems to represent the Pharisees and…
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv25, 28, 29, 30, 31 Verse 25. His elder son] Meaning probably persons of…
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv25, 29 Luk 15:25-28. Now his older son was in the…
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv25, 26, 29, 30, 31 In the field - At work. This eldest son…
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv25, 29 His elder son, &c. We have already remarked, that…
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv25, 28, 29, 31 in the field--engaged in his father's business: compare Luk…
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv25, 28, 29, 31 25. Was in the field—Rather, at labour; but he…
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv25, 28, 29, 30, 31 25. Now his elder son was in the field]…
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 (25) He heard musick and dancing.—This brings in a…
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv25, 28, 29, 31 Now his elder son was in the field. The…
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v25 The older son:
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv25, 28, 31 This word is used here to mark a break…
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv28, 30, 31 15:28 The older brother was angry that his father…
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