Luke 15:11
What does Luke 15:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 15:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 15:11 means
Jesus begins His third and most extensive parable by introducing a father and his two sons. This familial setting immediately creates a relatable human dynamic, allowing for complex character development and emotional depth. The two sons represent different aspects of humanity, providing a framework for understanding both those who openly rebel and those who are outwardly obedient but inwardly distant. This introduction sets the stage for a dramatic story of separation, repentance, and contrasting responses.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he said, A certain man had two sons:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he said, A certain man had two sons:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he said, A certain man had two sons:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he said, A certain man had two sons:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And he said, `A certain man had two sons,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he said: A certain man had two sons.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he said, A certain man had two sons;
Context
This verse introduces the famous parable of the lost son (often called the prodigal son), the longest and most detailed of the three parables in this chapter. It marks a shift from shorter, simpler illustrations to a more complex human drama. This extended narrative will allow Jesus to explore the themes of sin, repentance, grace, and rejection with greater depth than the previous parables.
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