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.

And {G1161} the son {G5207} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Father {G3962}, I have sinned {G264} against {G1519} heaven {G3772}, and {G2532} in {G1799} thy {G4675} sight {G1799}, and {G2532} am {G1510} no more {G3765} worthy {G514} to be called {G2564} thy {G4675} son {G5207}.

His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son — ’

The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

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

Luke 15:21 KJV captures the pivotal moment of repentance in the beloved Parable of the Prodigal Son. After squandering his inheritance and facing destitution, the son returns home, ready to confess his failures.

Context

This verse is the verbal culmination of the prodigal son's journey from reckless abandonment to humble contrition. Having "come to himself" (as described in Luke 15:17), he rehearsed his confession and now delivers it to his father. The parable, found in Luke chapter 15, is one of three stories Jesus tells to illustrate God's joy over the repentance of a sinner, addressing the Pharisees' grumbling about His association with tax collectors and sinners.

Key Themes

  • Genuine Repentance: The son's words demonstrate a profound change of heart, not merely regret over consequences but sorrow for his actions. This sincere repentance is a central message of the parable.
  • Acknowledgment of Sin: He clearly identifies his wrongdoing as against God ("heaven") and his earthly father. This dual recognition highlights the spiritual and relational damage caused by sin.
  • Humility and Unworthiness: His declaration, "I am no more worthy to be called thy son," shows a deep sense of humility and an understanding that he has forfeited his rightful status through his choices. He expects nothing but to be a hired servant.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sinned against heaven" is a significant Hebraism, a common Jewish idiom for sinning directly against God. By acknowledging his sin in this way, the son recognizes that his rebellion was not merely a personal offense against his father but a spiritual transgression against the Almighty. This elevates the gravity of his actions and underscores the theological depth of his confession.

Practical Application

Luke 15:21 offers a timeless model for repentance and returning to God. It teaches us that:

  • Confession is Key: True repentance involves acknowledging our sin plainly, both to God and, where appropriate, to those we have wronged.
  • Humility Precedes Restoration: A humble spirit, willing to admit unworthiness, opens the door for divine grace and forgiveness. Just as the father eagerly embraced his son (Luke 15:20), God is eager to welcome us back when we turn to Him.
  • God's Forgiveness is Abundant: Despite the son's profound unworthiness, the father's response demonstrates an overwhelming, unconditional love and willingness to forgive, reflecting God's own nature to forgive those who confess their sins. This verse reminds us that no matter how far we stray, the path to reconciliation begins with a humble return.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 51:4

    Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done [this] evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, [and] be clear when thou judgest.

  • 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.

  • Jeremiah 3:13

    Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:12

    But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

  • Romans 2:4

    Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

  • Psalms 143:2

    And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

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