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,

I will arise {G450} and go {G4198} to {G4314} my {G3450} father {G3962}, and {G2532} will say {G2046} unto him {G846}, Father {G3962}, I have sinned {G264} against {G1519} heaven {G3772}, and {G2532} before {G1799} thee {G4675},

I’m going to get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you;

I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight:

Commentary

Luke 15:18 captures the pivotal moment of decision for the prodigal son in Jesus' famous parable. After squandering his inheritance and facing utter destitution, the son "comes to himself" and resolves to return to his father, confessing his sin and unworthiness.

Context

This verse is found within the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), which is the third of three parables Jesus tells in Luke chapter 15, following the Parable of the Lost Sheep and the Parable of the Lost Coin. All three parables highlight God's joy over the repentance of sinners, directly addressing the Pharisees and scribes who grumbled about Jesus associating with tax collectors and sinners (Luke 15:2). The son's decision to return marks the turning point from his self-imposed exile and suffering to a path of restoration.

Key Themes

  • Repentance and Recognition of Sin

    The son's statement, "I have sinned against heaven, and before thee," reveals a profound recognition of his wrongdoing. His sin was not merely against his earthly father, but primarily against God ("heaven"), acknowledging the spiritual dimension of his rebellion. This is a crucial step in genuine repentance, understanding that all sin is ultimately an offense against a holy God, as exemplified by David's confession in Psalm 51:4.

  • Humility and Returning

    His decision to "arise and go to my father" demonstrates humility and a willingness to abandon his pride. He plans to offer himself as a hired servant, recognizing he no longer deserves the status of a son. This highlights the necessary posture for anyone seeking to return to God: a humble heart and a willingness to submit.

  • The Father's Love and Forgiveness

    Though not explicitly stated in this verse, the son's resolution anticipates the father's astonishing response. His willingness to return is predicated on a hope, perhaps faint, that his father's love might still extend to him. This sets the stage for the powerful depiction of God's unconditional love and readiness to forgive those who turn to Him, as seen in the father's embrace and celebration upon the son's return (Luke 15:20).

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "sinned against heaven" is a significant Hebraism, a common way of referring to God without directly naming Him. It emphasizes that the son's rebellion was not just a breach of familial trust but a grave offense against divine authority and moral order. This expression underscores the spiritual gravity of sin, positioning it as an act against God Himself.

Practical Application

Luke 15:18 offers a timeless message for anyone who has strayed from God or found themselves in a place of spiritual desolation. It teaches that true repentance begins with recognizing our sin, acknowledging it before God ("against heaven") and those we have wronged ("before thee"). It encourages us to take the decisive step of returning to our Heavenly Father, regardless of how far we feel we've fallen. Just as the prodigal son found, God is always ready to receive us with open arms, offering forgiveness and restoration to those who genuinely turn back to Him. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that it is never too late to repent and return to God.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Lamentations 3:40

    Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.

  • Luke 15:21

    And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

  • 1 John 1:8

    ¶ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

  • 1 John 1:10

    If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

  • Psalms 51:3

    For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin [is] ever before me.

  • Psalms 51:5

    Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

  • Luke 18:13

    And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
← Back