Luke 15:30

But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

But {G1161} as soon as {G3753} this {G3778} thy {G4675} son {G5207} was come {G2064}, which {G3588} hath devoured {G2719} thy {G4675} living {G979} with {G3326} harlots {G4204}, thou hast killed {G2380} for him {G846} the fatted {G4618} calf {G3448}.

Yet this son of yours comes, who squandered your property with prostitutes, and for him you slaughter the fattened calf!’

But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

but when this thy son came, who hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou killedst for him the fatted calf.

Luke 15:30 is a pivotal verse within the beloved Parable of the Prodigal Son, specifically articulating the bitter complaint of the elder brother. This verse encapsulates his resentment and misunderstanding of his father's boundless grace.

Context

This verse comes after the younger son, who had squandered his inheritance in riotous living, returns home in humility. His father, far from condemning him, embraces him with overwhelming joy, restoring him to a place of honor and celebrating his return with a feast, including the killing of the fatted calf. The elder brother, who had diligently served his father without ever transgressing his commandments, learns of the celebration and is filled with anger, refusing to join the festivities. His words in verse 30 are a direct accusation to his father, highlighting his perceived injustice and the younger son's scandalous past.

Key Themes

  • Envy and Resentment: The elder brother's words reveal deep-seated envy and resentment towards his younger brother's undeserved reception. He feels his own faithfulness has been overlooked in favor of one who "devoured thy living with harlots."
  • Self-Righteousness: He views his obedience as a ledger of merit, believing he has earned more favor than his wayward brother. This attitude blinds him to the true nature of his father's love and the joy of restoration.
  • Misunderstanding of Grace: The elder brother fails to grasp the concept of unconditional love and forgiveness. He operates on a system of works and reward, not grace and restoration, mirroring a common human struggle to accept undeserved favor.
  • The Father's Heart: In stark contrast to the elder brother's harsh judgment, the father embodies divine love and compassion, rejoicing over the lost being found, a theme echoed in the parables of the lost sheep and lost coin earlier in the chapter.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "devoured thy living with harlots" is the elder brother's pointed accusation, emphasizing the depth of the younger son's transgression and profligacy. "Living" (Greek: ousia) refers to his substance, wealth, or inheritance. The elder brother's vivid description underscores his judgment and contrasts it sharply with the father's compassionate silence regarding the son's past sins, focusing instead on his return and restoration.

Practical Application

Luke 15:30 challenges us to examine our own hearts. Do we, like the elder brother, sometimes struggle with envy when others receive grace or blessings we feel they haven't earned? Are we prone to self-righteousness, believing our own good deeds make us more deserving of God's favor than those who have stumbled? This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's Kingdom operates on grace, not merit. It calls believers to embrace the same boundless love and forgiveness that the father extended, and to rejoice in the restoration of others, rather than resent it. It encourages a shift from a works-based mindset to one that celebrates the unconditional love and grace of God.

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.

  • Luke 15:12

    And the younger of them said to [his] father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth [to me]. And he divided unto them [his] living.

  • Luke 15:13

    And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

  • Proverbs 29:3

    ¶ Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth [his] substance.

  • Luke 15:32

    It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

  • Luke 18:11

    The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

  • Exodus 32:7

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted [themselves]:

  • Luke 15:22

    But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put [it] on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on [his] feet:

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