Luke 15:17

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!

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}!

“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!

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!

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

Luke 15:17 captures a pivotal moment in the beloved Parable of the Prodigal Son, marking the turning point for the younger son who had squandered his inheritance. This verse reveals his profound realization of his dire circumstances and the stark contrast between his destitution and the abundance in his father's house.

Context

This verse is found within one of Jesus's most celebrated parables, recorded in Luke chapter 15, starting from verse 11. Jesus tells this story, alongside the parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin, to illustrate God's boundless love, compassion, and the immense joy in heaven over a sinner's repentance. The younger son, having demanded and then wasted his share of the inheritance in "riotous living" (Luke 15:13), finds himself in utter destitution, feeding pigs—a deeply humiliating situation for a Jew. This verse describes his moment of critical self-awareness.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Awakening and Repentance: The phrase "came to himself" signifies a profound moment of clarity and a return to sanity after a period of irrational, self-destructive behavior. It's the beginning of genuine repentance, where the son recognizes his folly and the dire consequences of his choices. This self-awareness is crucial for turning back to God.
  • Contrast and Humility: The son starkly contrasts his desperate hunger and degradation with the abundance enjoyed even by the hired servants in his father's household. This comparison highlights his deep humility and the realization of how far he has fallen. He acknowledges his unworthiness to be called a son, aspiring only to the status of a servant.
  • Hope in the Father's Abundance: Despite his low state, the son remembers the generosity and provision within his father's house. This memory fuels his hope and decision to return, trusting in his father's character and the potential for a better life there, rather than his own merit or lack thereof. It points to the idea of God's inexhaustible provision for His children, even for those who have strayed.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase translated "came to himself" is eis heauton elthōn. It literally means "having come into himself" or "having come to his senses." This emphasizes a return to a state of rational thought and moral clarity, a recovery from a period of spiritual and moral delirium. It's a powerful depiction of introspection and the dawning realization of one's true condition apart from a right relationship with the source of life and abundance.

Practical Application

Luke 15:17 offers a timeless message for anyone who has strayed from God or found themselves in a place of spiritual emptiness. It illustrates that true spiritual awakening often begins with recognizing one's true condition and the futility of life apart from God's grace. Like the prodigal son, we may find ourselves in spiritual hunger when we abandon the abundance of God's presence and provision.

This verse encourages humility, self-reflection, and the courage to turn back to the Father, knowing that His house always offers more than enough, even for the least of His servants. It reminds us that God's unconditional welcome awaits those who repent and return, regardless of how far they have wandered or how much they have squandered.

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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,