Luke 15:31

KJV

And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} he said {G2036} unto him {G846}, Son {G5043}, thou {G4771} art {G1488} ever {G3842} with {G3326} me {G1700}, and {G2532} all {G3956} that I have {G1699} is {G2076} thine {G4674}.

Complete Jewish Bible

‘Son, you are always with me,’ said the father, ‘and everything I have is yours.

Berean Standard Bible

‘Son, you are always with me,’ the father said, ‘and all that is mine is yours.

American Standard Version

And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that is mine is thine.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 15:31 captures the loving father's patient and profound response to his elder son's resentment, revealing the continuous, unbroken fellowship and full inheritance that was always available to him. This pivotal statement underscores the father's unconditional love and abundant provision, gently challenging the elder son's self-righteous, legalistic mindset by highlighting that his perceived deprivation was a matter of perspective rather than actual lack, inviting him to embrace the joy of his secure position.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 15:31 is the climax of the father's address to the elder son in Jesus' [Parable of the Lost Son](/luke/15-11-32 "Luke 15:11-32 - The Parable of the Prodigal Son"). This parable is the third in a triptych, following the [Parable of the Lost Sheep](/luke/15-3-7 "Luke 15:3-7 - The Parable of the Lost Sheep") and the [Parable of the Lost Coin](/luke/15-8-10 "Luke 15:8-10 - The Parable of the Lost Coin"). All three parables are told in response to the grumbling of the [Pharisees and scribes](/luke/15-1-2 "Luke 15:1-2 - Jesus Eats with Sinners") who criticized Jesus for associating with and eating with "sinners." While the first two parables emphasize God's diligent search for the lost and the joy over their repentance, the Parable of the Lost Son broadens the scope to include the response of those who consider themselves righteous. Verse 31 directly follows the elder son's bitter complaint about his brother's return and his own perceived lack of recognition, setting the stage for the father's ultimate revelation of his son's secure status and abundant access.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, the father held absolute authority and was the head of the household. Inheritance was typically divided upon the father's death, but a son could request his portion early, as the younger son did in [Luke 15:12](/luke/15-12 "Luke 15:12 - The Younger Son's Request"). Such a request was highly unusual and disrespectful, akin to wishing the father dead. The elder son, by staying and working, was fulfilling his expected role as heir and manager of the estate. His resentment stemmed from a cultural expectation of merit-based reward—he felt his faithful service had earned him a greater right to celebration than his wayward brother. The father's response transcends these cultural norms, demonstrating a radical, unconditional love that prioritizes relationship and restoration over strict adherence to legalistic or meritocratic principles, challenging the very worldview of the grumbling Pharisees.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and Jesus' teaching. First, it highlights the theme of **Divine Sonship and Relationship**. The father's words, "Son, thou art ever with me," emphasize the unbreakable bond and continuous fellowship available to those in relationship with God, regardless of their perceived performance. Second, it underscores the theme of **Abundant Grace and Provision**. The declaration, "all that I have is thine," reveals that God's children are not merely servants but heirs with full access to His boundless resources and blessings. This directly counters the elder son's legalistic mindset, which focused on earning favor rather than receiving it freely. Finally, the verse subtly addresses the theme of **Self-Righteousness vs. True Joy**. The elder son's inability to rejoice in his brother's return, despite his own secure position and vast inheritance, exposes the spiritual poverty of a heart focused on merit and comparison rather than the Father's overflowing love and the joy of restoration, a direct challenge to the [Pharisees' grumbling](/luke/15-2 "Luke 15:2 - Pharisees Grumble").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **ever (Greek, _pántote'_):** From G3842, meaning "at all times, always, evermore." This word emphasizes the continuous and unbroken nature of the elder son's presence with his father. It signifies an enduring state of being in relationship, not a temporary condition or a reward for good behavior. The father's love and the son's position were constant.
* **with (Greek, _metá'_):** From G3326, a primary preposition denoting accompaniment, "amid" (local or causal). Here, it signifies a close, intimate association. The elder son was not merely in the same house but in active fellowship and proximity with his father, sharing in his daily life and work. This highlights the relational depth of their bond.
* **thine (Greek, _sós'_):** From G4674, meaning "thine (own), thy (friend)." This possessive pronoun unequivocally states that everything belonging to the father was already the elder son's. It conveys complete ownership, access, and authority over the father's entire estate, underscoring the elder son's full inheritance rights.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto him, Son,"**: The father's address is gentle yet direct. The term "Son" (G5043, _téknon_) reaffirms the elder son's identity and secure place in the family, despite his anger and resentment. It is an appeal to their fundamental relationship, setting a tone of love and patience.
* **"thou art ever with me,"**: This clause highlights the elder son's continuous presence and unbroken fellowship with the father. Unlike the younger son who departed, the elder son remained. The father emphasizes the constant, abiding nature of their relationship, implying that the elder son's identity and security were never in question, nor was his access to the father's presence.
* **"and all that I have is thine."**: This powerful declaration reveals the full extent of the elder son's inheritance and rights. He was not a mere servant but a co-heir with complete access and ownership of the father's entire estate. His perceived lack was a matter of his own perspective and failure to appropriate what was already his, rather than an actual deprivation. This statement directly refutes the elder son's complaint about not receiving a young goat for a celebration, as he already possessed the means to have anything he desired.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the elder son, who has always been "with" the father and possesses "all" that the father has, feels deprived and unappreciated, while the younger son, who squandered his inheritance, is celebrated. This highlights the elder son's spiritual blindness to his own blessings. **Contrast** is also evident between the father's boundless generosity and the elder son's self-centered, legalistic mindset. The father's words are a form of **Reassurance** and **Exhortation**, gently reminding the elder son of his secure status and inviting him to participate in the joy of the family, rather than remaining outside in bitterness. The father's statement also functions as a **Revelation**, unveiling the true nature of his relationship with both sons—one of unconditional love and open-handed generosity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 15:31 profoundly illuminates the nature of God's relationship with His children. It underscores that our standing before God is not based on our performance, merit, or perceived "goodness," but on our secure identity as His beloved sons and daughters. Just as the elder son was "ever with" his father and had full access to "all" that the father possessed, believers are continually in God's presence and have been granted every spiritual blessing in Christ. This verse challenges a legalistic mindset that seeks to earn God's favor or compare oneself to others, instead calling us to embrace the boundless grace and abundant provision that are freely given through our relationship with Him. It reminds us that true spiritual wealth is found in abiding in God and recognizing the incredible inheritance that is already ours.

* [Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Heirs with Christ")
* [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ")
* [1 John 3:1](/1_john/3-1 "Children of God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 15:31 offers a profound mirror for believers today, inviting us to examine our own hearts and perspectives. Are we, like the elder son, living as if we are spiritual paupers, striving to earn God's favor or feeling resentful of others' blessings, even though we are "ever with" our Heavenly Father and "all that He has is ours"? This verse calls us to recognize the immense spiritual inheritance we possess through Christ—our identity as beloved children, access to God's presence, His power, wisdom, and provision. It challenges us to move from a mindset of scarcity and striving to one of abundance and gratitude, living from the reality of our secure position in God's family. When we truly grasp that our standing is not based on our performance but on His grace, we are freed from the trap of comparison and self-righteousness, enabling us to rejoice in God's goodness, both for ourselves and for others who come to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I act like the elder brother, feeling deprived or resentful, despite the abundant blessings God has given me?**
* **How does understanding my identity as a child "ever with" God, with full access to "all that He has," change my perspective on daily challenges and spiritual striving?**
* **Am I truly able to rejoice in the spiritual restoration of others, or do I find myself comparing my faithfulness to their past mistakes?**

### FAQ
**Why was the elder son so angry if he already had access to everything?**

Answer: The elder son's anger stemmed not from a lack of physical possession, but from a profound misunderstanding of his relationship with his father and a legalistic, merit-based view of love and reward. He saw his years of faithful service as earning him a superior right to his father's affection and resources, particularly compared to his wayward brother. He felt unappreciated and unrewarded for his "good" behavior, believing that his father's celebration of the prodigal was an injustice to his own loyalty. His statement, "these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment," reveals a heart focused on his own performance and a lack of understanding of the father's unconditional love and grace. He had the "what," but missed the "who"—the joy of being in relationship with his generous father. His perceived lack was a spiritual one, rooted in self-righteousness and a failure to embrace the joy of his secure position, as the father's words in [Luke 15:31](/luke/15-31 "Luke 15:31 - The Father's Words to the Elder Son") clearly show.

**Does "all that I have is thine" imply that believers have unlimited material wealth?**

Answer: While the parable uses the context of material inheritance to illustrate spiritual truths, the primary message of "all that I have is thine" in [Luke 15:31](/luke/15-31 "Luke 15:31 - The Father's Promise") is not a guarantee of unlimited material wealth for believers. Instead, it points to the boundless spiritual riches and resources available to us as children of God. As co-heirs with Christ, we have full access to God's wisdom, power, peace, joy, and every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Every Spiritual Blessing")). This includes the provision needed for life and godliness ([2 Peter 1:3](/2_peter/1-3 "2 Peter 1:3 - Divine Power for Life and Godliness")), but it is not a blank check for earthly desires. The emphasis is on our secure identity, our relationship with the Father, and the spiritual abundance that flows from that relationship, enabling us to live a life of purpose and fruitfulness in His kingdom.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 15:31, though spoken within a parable about a human father, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The father in the parable, who declares "Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine," perfectly embodies the Heavenly Father's heart towards His children, a heart fully revealed through Jesus. Christ is the quintessential "Son" who was "ever with" the Father, existing in perfect, unbroken fellowship from eternity past ([John 1:1-2](/john/1-1-2 "John 1:1-2 - The Word Was God")). Through His perfect obedience, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection, Jesus has secured for us, by grace through faith, the adoption into God's family, making us co-heirs with Him ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Heirs with Christ")). It is through Christ that we gain access to "all that the Father has"—not merely a portion, but the fullness of God's spiritual blessings, wisdom, power, and presence ([Colossians 2:9-10](/colossians/2-9-10 "Colossians 2:9-10 - Fullness in Christ")). Jesus Himself is the "way, the truth, and the life," the only means by which we can truly be "with" the Father and inherit His kingdom ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way to the Father")). Thus, the father's words to the elder son foreshadow the incredible inheritance and intimate relationship available to all who are united with Christ, the true and faithful Son.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Romans 9:4

Who are Israelites; to whom [pertaineth] the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service [of God], and the promises;

Mark 7:27

But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast [it] unto the dogs.

Mark 7:28

And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.

Matthew 20:13

But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

Matthew 20:16

So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Romans 11:1

¶ I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, [of] the tribe of Benjamin.

Luke 19:22

And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, [thou] wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: