Luke 15:14

And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

And {G1161} when he {G846} had spent {G1159} all {G3956}, there arose {G1096} a mighty {G2478} famine {G3042} in {G2596} that {G1565} land {G5561}; and {G2532} he {G846} began {G756} to be in want {G5302}.

But after he had spent it all, a severe famine arose throughout that country, and he began to feel the pinch.

After he had spent all he had, a severe famine swept through that country, and he began to be in need.

And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.

Commentary

Luke 15:14 is a pivotal verse in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, illustrating the swift and harsh consequences of reckless living. After receiving his inheritance and leaving his father's home, the younger son squandered his wealth on riotous living. This verse marks the abrupt end of his extravagance and the beginning of severe hardship.

Context

This verse is immediately preceded by the son's wasteful spending (Luke 15:13), emphasizing the direct cause-and-effect relationship between his actions and his predicament. The parable itself is part of a trilogy in Luke chapter 15, which Jesus tells to Pharisees and scribes who grumble about Him associating with sinners. The parables (Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Lost Son) collectively highlight God's profound joy over one sinner who repents and returns to Him.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Reckless Living: The verse vividly portrays how indulgence and separation from a place of blessing (the father's house) lead to ruin. The famine is not merely bad luck but a contributing factor that exacerbates his already dire financial state, representing the spiritual emptiness and destitution that often follow a life lived apart from God.
  • The Catalyst for Change: The "mighty famine" and subsequent "want" serve as a crucial turning point. This extreme suffering forces the son to confront his reality and consider his options, ultimately leading to his decision to return home (Luke 15:17). Sometimes, hardship is necessary to bring about repentance and a longing for restoration.
  • Human Vulnerability: Despite his initial self-sufficiency and desire for independence, the son quickly finds himself utterly dependent and vulnerable to external circumstances like famine. This highlights the fragility of human prosperity when not grounded in wisdom and true spiritual nourishment.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "spent all" translates the Greek dapanēsantos panta (δαπανήσαντος πάντα), which literally means "having spent everything," underscoring the complete depletion of his resources. The "mighty famine" is limos ischyra (λιμὸς ἰσχυρὰ), conveying a severe and powerful hunger, making his situation truly desperate. The phrase "began to be in want" (ἤρξατο ὑστερεῖσθαι - ērxato hysterēisthai) signifies the onset of his lacking or being deficient, marking the transition from living lavishly to experiencing acute need.

Reflection and Application

Luke 15:14 serves as a powerful reminder that choices have consequences. Just as the prodigal son faced the harsh reality of his actions, we too can experience spiritual or material "famines" when we stray from God's path or neglect His wisdom. This verse encourages us to:

  • Recognize the Dangers of Self-Indulgence: A life focused solely on personal pleasure and independence from God often leads to spiritual emptiness and hardship, much like the wages of sin.
  • View Hardship as a Call to Reflection: Difficult times can be God's way of prompting us to re-evaluate our lives, acknowledge our need for Him, and return to His loving embrace.
  • Appreciate True Provision: The father's house represents a place of security, abundance, and love. This verse indirectly points to the ultimate provision and satisfaction found in a relationship with God, who is always ready to receive those who return to Him (Philippians 4:19).

The famine was not the end for the prodigal son; it was the beginning of his journey back home, highlighting God's redemptive purpose even in challenging circumstances.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 33:11 (3 votes)

    ¶ Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.

  • Amos 8:9 (1 votes)

    And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord GOD, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day:

  • Amos 8:12 (1 votes)

    And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find [it].

  • Ezekiel 16:27 (0 votes)

    Behold, therefore I have stretched out my hand over thee, and have diminished thine ordinary [food], and delivered thee unto the will of them that hate thee, the daughters of the Philistines, which are ashamed of thy lewd way.

  • Hosea 2:9 (0 votes)

    Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and will recover my wool and my flax [given] to cover her nakedness.

  • Hosea 2:14 (0 votes)

    ¶ Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.