Luke 15:20

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

And {G2532} he arose {G450}, and came {G2064} to {G4314} his {G1438} father {G3962}. But {G1161} when he {G846} was yet {G2089} a great way {G3112} off {G568}, his {G846} father {G3962} saw {G1492} him {G846}, and {G2532} had compassion {G4697}, and {G2532} ran {G5143}, and fell {G1968} on {G1909} his {G846} neck {G5137}, and {G2532} kissed {G2705} him {G846}.

So he got up and started back to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran and threw his arms around him and kissed him warmly.

So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

Commentary

Context

Luke 15:20 is the pivotal moment in the well-known Parable of the Prodigal Son, also known as the Parable of the Lost Son. This parable is one of three in Luke chapter 15, all illustrating God's boundless joy and welcoming nature towards those who are lost and then found. Preceding this verse, the son, having squandered his inheritance in riotous living and fallen into destitution, comes to his senses and decides to return home, prepared to confess his sin and ask to be treated as a hired servant (see Luke 15:18-19). This verse captures the dramatic and emotional reunion between father and son, showcasing the father's profound love.

Key Themes

  • Unconditional Love and Forgiveness: The father's immediate and overwhelming response to his son's return demonstrates a love that goes beyond deserving. He doesn't wait for a formal apology or for the son to earn his way back; he runs to him, embracing him fully. This illustrates God's readiness to forgive completely when we turn to Him.
  • Divine Compassion and Mercy: The father's actions embody God's heart for humanity. He is not punitive or judgmental but filled with deep pity and tenderness. His "running" to the son signifies eagerness and joy, shattering social norms of the time where an older man would not run.
  • Restoration and Reconciliation: The embrace and kiss signify not just forgiveness but full restoration. The son is welcomed back into the family, not as a servant, but as a beloved son. This mirrors God's desire to reconcile us to Himself and restore us to a full relationship with Him.
  • The Father's Watchfulness: The detail "when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him" suggests the father had been waiting, watching, and hoping for his son's return. This paints a picture of a loving God who is always looking for us to turn back to Him, eager to welcome us home.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translation captures significant nuances:

  • "Had compassion": The Greek word here is splagchnizomai (σπλαγχνίζομαι), which literally means to be moved in one's bowels or intestines. It denotes a deep, visceral, gut-level feeling of pity or mercy. This is a powerful term often used in the Gospels to describe Jesus' profound empathy for suffering people (e.g., Matthew 9:36, Mark 1:41). It highlights the intensity of the father's emotional response.
  • "Kissed him": The Greek verb used is kataphileo (καταφιλέω), which implies a fervent, repeated, or tender kissing. It's more than a simple greeting; it's a deep expression of affection, love, and acceptance, confirming the father's overwhelming joy and relief.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound hope and encouragement. For those who have wandered from God, it assures them of God's unwavering love and readiness to forgive and restore upon genuine repentance. It reminds us that our heavenly Father is always watching and waiting, eager to welcome us back into His arms, no matter how far we've strayed or what we've done. For believers, it serves as a powerful reminder of God's character and calls us to emulate His compassion and forgiveness towards others, especially those who repent and seek reconciliation. It also highlights the immense joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, a theme echoed in Luke 15:7 and Luke 15:10, reinforcing the core message that God seeks and saves the lost (Luke 19:10).

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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

  • Psalms 103:10 (16 votes)

    He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

  • Psalms 103:13 (16 votes)

    Like as a father pitieth [his] children, [so] the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

  • Psalms 86:5 (14 votes)

    For thou, Lord, [art] good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

  • Psalms 86:15 (12 votes)

    But thou, O Lord, [art] a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

  • Ephesians 2:13 (10 votes)

    But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

  • Deuteronomy 30:2 (10 votes)

    And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;

  • Deuteronomy 30:4 (10 votes)

    If [any] of thine be driven out unto the outmost [parts] of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee: