But when this son of yours returns from squandering your wealth with prostitutes, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
Parallel translations
- WEB But when this, your son, came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’
- KJV But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
- NKJV But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’
- NASB but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’
- NLT Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
He scornfully calls his brother 'this your son' and accuses him of squandering the estate on prostitutes.
Overview
He refuses to say 'my brother,' distancing himself in contempt. His harsh accounting of the younger's sins contrasts with the father's merciful welcome. The verse lays bare a heart that cannot rejoice in grace shown to others, the besetting sin of the religiously proud.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Luke 15:12–13The younger son said to him, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
- Prov 29:3A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
- Luke 18:11The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
- Luke 15:32But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
- Luke 15:22–23But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
- Exod 32:7Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.
- Exod 32:11But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God, saying, “O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people, whom You brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand?
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Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
How Luke 15:30 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.