Luke 15:23

And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill [it]; and let us eat, and be merry:

And {G2532} bring hither {G5342} the fatted {G4618} calf {G3448}, and kill {G2380} it; and {G2532} let us eat {G5315}, and be merry {G2165}:

and bring the calf that has been fattened up, and kill it. Let’s eat and have a celebration!

Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate.

and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make merry:

Commentary

Luke 15:23 is a pivotal moment in the beloved Parable of the Prodigal Son, illustrating the father's overwhelming joy and unconditional acceptance of his repentant son. This command signifies the immediate and lavish celebration planned to mark the son's return, underscoring themes of forgiveness, restoration, and divine grace.

Context

This verse immediately follows the younger son's humble return home after squandering his inheritance in a distant land. Though the son prepared a speech to ask for a servant's position, his father interrupted him with a display of boundless love and mercy. The father's command to "bring hither the fatted calf" is the ultimate expression of his joy, signifying a feast of immense proportion rather than a mere meal. This lavish celebration contrasts sharply with the son's expectation of being treated as a hired servant, highlighting the father's desire for full restoration and a return to family privilege.

Key Themes

  • Unconditional Love and Forgiveness: The father's immediate action to prepare a grand feast, without any rebuke or delay, powerfully demonstrates God's boundless love and readiness to forgive those who turn to Him. It's a love that goes beyond what is deserved.
  • Joy of Reconciliation: The phrase "let us eat, and be merry" encapsulates the profound joy that accompanies reconciliation, especially after a period of separation and spiritual "death." This joy reflects the rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents, as mentioned earlier in the chapter (Luke 15:7, Luke 15:10).
  • Restoration and Abundance: The "fatted calf" symbolizes not just a meal, but the full and complete restoration of the son to his rightful place in the family, with all the privileges and abundance that entails. It signifies a new beginning and a return to prosperity after a period of destitution.

Linguistic and Cultural Insights

The phrase "the fatted calf" (Greek: ton moschon ton siteuton) refers to a calf that had been specifically kept and fed well for a significant occasion. In ancient Near Eastern culture, killing a fatted calf was an act reserved for the most important celebrations—like weddings, major festivals, or the return of a highly esteemed guest. It was a costly and deliberate act, underscoring the extraordinary nature of the father's joy and the immense value he placed on his son's return. It signifies that the father was not just offering a meal, but a grand public declaration of his son's full reinstatement and honor.

Practical Application

This verse encourages us to reflect on God's welcoming heart towards us, especially when we return to Him after straying. It reminds us that His desire is for our full restoration and joy, not just mere tolerance. Furthermore, it challenges believers to embody this same spirit of unconditional love and celebratory forgiveness towards others who repent or return to faith. Instead of judgment or resentment, we are called to embrace and rejoice in the reconciliation of others, reflecting the boundless grace of our Heavenly Father.

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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 25:6 (5 votes)

    ¶ And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.

  • Matthew 22:2 (5 votes)

    The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

  • Matthew 22:14 (5 votes)

    For many are called, but few [are] chosen.

  • Psalms 63:5 (4 votes)

    My soul shall be satisfied as [with] marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise [thee] with joyful lips:

  • Isaiah 65:13 (3 votes)

    Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:

  • Isaiah 65:14 (3 votes)

    Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.

  • Proverbs 9:2 (2 votes)

    She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table.