Luke 15:17

KJV

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when he came {G2064} to {G1519} himself {G1438}, he said {G2036}, How many {G4214} hired servants {G3407} of my {G3450} father's {G3962} have bread {G740} enough and to spare {G4052}, and {G1161} I {G1473} perish {G622} with hunger {G3042}!

Complete Jewish Bible

“At last he came to his senses and said, ‘Any number of my father’s hired workers have food to spare; and here I am, starving to death!

Berean Standard Bible

Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food? But here I am, starving to death!

American Standard Version

But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger!

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 15:17 marks the pivotal moment of spiritual awakening for the prodigal son, capturing his profound realization of his desperate condition after squandering his inheritance. This verse reveals the stark contrast between his self-inflicted destitution and the abundant provision available even to the hired servants in his father's household, prompting his decision to return home in humility and hope.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jesus's trio of parables in [Luke 15](/luke/15 "Luke 15 - Parables of the Lost"), specifically the Parable of the Prodigal Son (or Lost Son), which begins in [Luke 15:11](/luke/15-11 "Luke 15:11 - The Parable of the Prodigal Son Begins"). These parables—the Lost Sheep ([Luke 15:3-7](/luke/15-3-7 "Luke 15:3-7 - The Parable of the Lost Sheep")), the Lost Coin ([Luke 15:8-10](/luke/15-8-10 "Luke 15:8-10 - The Parable of the Lost Coin")), and the Lost Son—are delivered in response to the Pharisees and scribes grumbling that Jesus welcomes and eats with "sinners" ([Luke 15:1-2](/luke/15-1-2 "Luke 15:1-2 - Jesus Welcomes Sinners")). Each parable progressively deepens the theme of God's joyous pursuit and welcoming of the lost, with the prodigal son's journey providing the most detailed human narrative of rebellion, suffering, repentance, and restoration. Verse 17 is the turning point, moving from the son's downward spiral to his upward trajectory of return.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For a Jewish son, demanding his inheritance while his father was still alive ([Luke 15:12](/luke/15-12 "Luke 15:12 - Son Demands Inheritance")) was an act of profound disrespect, akin to wishing his father dead. Leaving home to squander it in a "far country" ([Luke 15:13](/luke/15-13 "Luke 15:13 - Son Leaves Home")) further alienated him from his family and community. His subsequent employment feeding pigs ([Luke 15:15](/luke/15-15 "Luke 15:15 - Son Feeds Pigs")) was the ultimate degradation for a Jew, as pigs were unclean animals according to Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 11:7-8](/leviticus/11-7-8 "Leviticus 11:7-8 - Unclean Animals")). The famine ([Luke 15:14](/luke/15-14 "Luke 15:14 - Famine Strikes")) exacerbated his plight, leaving him in utter destitution, longing even for the pigs' food. His remembrance of his father's "hired servants" underscores the stark social hierarchy; even the lowest laborers in a wealthy household would have basic provisions, a stark contrast to his own starvation.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Luke 15 and the broader Gospel. It highlights the theme of **Spiritual Awakening and Repentance**, as the son's "coming to himself" signifies a crucial moment of clarity and a return to sanity after a period of self-destructive choices. This self-awareness is the prerequisite for genuine repentance, a central message of Jesus's ministry (e.g., [Luke 5:32](/luke/5-32 "Luke 5:32 - Jesus Calls Sinners to Repentance")). It also emphasizes the **Contrast between Destitution and Abundance**, vividly portraying the spiritual emptiness and suffering that result from separation from God, set against the backdrop of the Father's inexhaustible provision. Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **Humility and Restoration**, as the son's recognition of his unworthiness and his willingness to return even as a servant lays the groundwork for the father's lavish and unconditional welcome, illustrating God's grace towards those who humble themselves ([James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Opposes the Proud")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis

* **came to himself (Greek, _érchomai_ G2064, _eis_ G1519, _heautoû_ G1438):** The phrase "came to himself" (literally "having come into himself") signifies a profound shift from a state of spiritual and moral delirium or irrationality to one of clarity, self-awareness, and rational thought. The verb _érchomai_ (to come or go) combined with _eis_ (to or into) and the reflexive pronoun _heautoû_ (himself) denotes an internal return, a recovery of one's senses and a recognition of reality. This is not merely a physical return but a mental and spiritual awakening, a turning point where the son acknowledges his true, desperate condition and the folly of his previous choices.
* **hired servants (Greek, _místhios_ G3407):** This term refers to a wage-earner, someone employed for a specific task or period, typically at the lower end of the social scale. Unlike slaves who were property, hired servants had some freedom but no inherent family rights or security beyond their wages. The son's comparison to these servants underscores his deep humility and the extent of his fall; he recognizes that even the lowest-status workers in his father's house enjoy a better life than he, the once-privileged son. This highlights the father's abundant provision and generosity.
* **perish with hunger (Greek, _apóllymi_ G622, _limós_ G3042):** The verb _apóllymi_ means "to destroy fully, to perish, or lose." Coupled with _limós_ (a scarcity of food, famine, hunger), it conveys the son's immediate and dire threat of death by starvation. This is not merely discomfort or want, but an existential crisis. The use of "perish" emphasizes the ultimate consequence of his separation and self-reliance, a stark contrast to the life and sustenance found in his father's house.

#### Verse Breakdown

* **"And when he came to himself":** This clause marks the critical turning point in the son's journey. It describes a moment of profound introspection and spiritual awakening, where the son's mind clears from the delusion and recklessness that led him to ruin. He recognizes the reality of his situation and the consequences of his actions, signifying a shift from self-deception to self-awareness.
* **"he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare":** This statement reveals the son's rational assessment of his circumstances in light of his father's household. He contrasts his own starvation with the abundance enjoyed even by the lowest-ranking workers in his father's employ. The phrase "enough and to spare" (Greek: _perisseúō_) emphasizes the overflowing generosity and provision characteristic of his father, highlighting a stark disparity between his current lack and the security available at home.
* **"and I perish with hunger!":** This exclamation underscores the son's desperate and immediate plight. It is a raw, honest acknowledgment of his impending death by starvation, a direct consequence of his rebellion and squandering of his inheritance. This personal confession of his suffering and vulnerability is the final catalyst for his decision to return home, driven by the memory of his father's abundance and his own dire need.

#### Literary Devices

The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Contrast** is central, as the son's abject hunger and impending death are set against the backdrop of the "bread enough and to spare" enjoyed by his father's hired servants. This stark juxtaposition highlights the severity of his self-inflicted destitution and the boundless provision of his father. **Irony** is also present; the son, who once demanded his inheritance and lived lavishly, now envies the basic provisions of servants. His former status as a son, with all its privileges, has been reversed to a state worse than a hired hand. The phrase "came to himself" functions as a form of **Anagnorisis** or recognition, a pivotal moment of discovery where the protagonist gains critical insight into their true situation or identity. This intellectual and spiritual awakening is the catalyst for the narrative's resolution. Finally, the entire statement is a form of **Soliloquy**, as the son speaks his thoughts aloud to himself, revealing his internal struggle and the dawning realization that will lead to his repentance and return.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Luke 15:17 profoundly illustrates the spiritual reality of humanity's condition apart from God. Just as the prodigal son experienced a "famine" and "perished with hunger" outside his father's abundant house, humanity, separated from its Creator, often experiences spiritual emptiness, moral destitution, and a longing for true sustenance that only God can provide. This verse underscores that true repentance often begins with a sober assessment of one's spiritual poverty and a recognition of God's overflowing grace and provision, which is always available to those who turn to Him. It's a call to abandon self-reliance and return to the source of all life and blessing.

* [Psalm 34:10](/psalms/34-10 "Psalm 34:10 - Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing")
* [Isaiah 55:1-2](/isaiah/55-1-2 "Isaiah 55:1-2 - Come, Everyone Who Thirsts")
* [Matthew 5:6](/matthew/5-6 "Matthew 5:6 - Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

The prodigal son's journey in Luke 15:17 offers a powerful mirror for our own spiritual lives. His "coming to himself" is a profound invitation to honest self-assessment. Are there areas in our lives where we have strayed from God's wisdom, squandering our spiritual inheritance on fleeting desires or self-serving pursuits? Do we find ourselves in spiritual "famine," experiencing a deep hunger for meaning, peace, or purpose that the world cannot satisfy? This verse reminds us that true awakening often comes not from external circumstances alone, but from an internal realization of our desperate need for God. It encourages us to humbly acknowledge our spiritual destitution and remember the boundless grace and provision available in our Heavenly Father's house. Our Father's house is not merely a place of survival, but of "bread enough and to spare," signifying an abundance that far exceeds our needs. This realization should compel us, like the prodigal, to turn back, trusting in His unfailing love and readiness to restore.

#### Questions for Reflection

* **What does "coming to myself" mean in a spiritual sense for my own life? Have I experienced such a moment of clarity?**
* **In what ways might I be "perishing with hunger" spiritually, even while surrounded by worldly distractions or perceived successes?**
* **How does the prodigal son's memory of his father's abundance encourage me to trust in God's provision, especially when I feel spiritually depleted?**
* **What steps can I take today to "return" to the Father's house, embracing His abundance and leaving behind spiritual destitution?**

### FAQ

**What does "came to himself" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: "Came to himself" (Greek: _eis heauton elthōn_) signifies a profound moment of spiritual and mental clarity, a return to sanity and rational thought after a period of self-destructive behavior and delusion. It's the point where the prodigal son stops living in denial about his desperate situation and truly recognizes the consequences of his choices. This awakening is crucial for repentance, as it involves an honest assessment of one's condition apart from God's grace and provision, leading to a desire to turn back, as seen in the subsequent verses where he plans his return ([Luke 15:18-19](/luke/15-18-19 "Luke 15:18-19 - Son Plans Return")).

**Why is the comparison to "hired servants" significant?**

Answer: The comparison to "hired servants" (Greek: _místhios_) is highly significant because it highlights the son's utter degradation and humility. In Jewish society, a son had inherent rights and status, while a hired servant was at the bottom of the household hierarchy, working for daily wages with no familial claim. For the prodigal son to realize that even these lowest-ranking workers in his father's house "have bread enough and to spare" while he, the son, is starving, underscores the depth of his fall and the overwhelming abundance of his father's provision. It also sets up the powerful contrast with the father's response in [Luke 15:22-24](/luke/15-22-24 "Luke 15:22-24 - Father's Lavish Welcome"), where he is not treated as a servant but fully restored as a son.

**Does this verse suggest that suffering is necessary for spiritual awakening?**

Answer: While suffering often serves as a catalyst for spiritual awakening, as it did for the prodigal son, this verse does not imply that suffering is a *prerequisite* or that God intentionally inflicts it to bring people to repentance. Rather, it illustrates how the natural consequences of sin and separation from God can lead to a desperate state, which, in God's grace, can prompt a moment of clarity and a desire for change. The son's hunger and destitution were the result of his own choices ([Luke 15:13](/luke/15-13 "Luke 15:13 - Son's Reckless Living")), but they ultimately led him to "come to himself" and return to his father's abundant grace, demonstrating God's redemptive power even in our lowest moments.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Luke 15:17, though part of a parable, profoundly points to Christ's redemptive work and the nature of the Kingdom of God. The prodigal son's journey from self-inflicted destitution to the realization of his father's abundance foreshadows humanity's spiritual condition apart from Christ. We, like the prodigal, are often in a "far country" of sin and spiritual hunger, perishing without the true "bread of life." Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). The "bread enough and to spare" in the father's house is a vivid picture of the overflowing grace, forgiveness, and eternal life found in Christ. He is the ultimate provision, the one who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")). Through His sacrifice, we are not merely offered the status of hired servants but are fully adopted as sons and daughters, receiving an inheritance far greater than any earthly provision ([Romans 8:15-17](/romans/8-15-17 "Romans 8:15-17 - Spirit of Adoption")). The father's unconditional welcome and lavish celebration upon the son's return ([Luke 15:20-24](/luke/15-20-24 "Luke 15:20-24 - Father Welcomes Son")) perfectly illustrate God's boundless love and joy over every sinner who repents and comes to Christ, the one who brings us home to the Father's abundant table.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 18:28

Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

Ephesians 2:4

¶ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Ephesians 2:5

Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Luke 15:18

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

Luke 15:19

And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

Ephesians 5:14

Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Acts 16:29

Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,