Luke 15:14
What does Luke 15:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 15:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 15:14 means
After spending all his money, a severe famine strikes the country where the younger son lives, compounding his already dire situation. This external crisis, combined with his self-inflicted poverty, plunges him into extreme want and desperation. The famine is a powerful catalyst, forcing him to confront the full reality of his ruinous choices. He is now utterly dependent, with no resources of his own and no one to turn to in his self-imposed isolation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when everything was gone, there was no food to be had in that country, and he was in need.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and he having spent all, there came a mighty famine on that country, and himself began to be in want;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And after he had spent all, there came a mighty famine in that country: and he began to be in want.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But when he had spent all there arose a violent famine throughout that country, and he began to be in want.
Context
This verse marks a turning point in the younger son's fortunes, as external circumstances exacerbate his self-created poverty. The famine deepens his desperation, moving the narrative towards his rock bottom. This dire situation is essential for the eventual "coming to himself" and the subsequent journey of repentance that will unfold, setting the stage for his eventual return.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Amos 8:9
And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord Jehovah, that I will cause the sun to go down at noon, and I will darken the earth in the clear day.
- Ezekiel 16:27
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, that are ashamed of thy lewd way.
- 2 Chronicles 33:11
Wherefore Jehovah brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh in chains, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.
- Hosea 2:9
Therefore will I take back my grain in the time thereof, and my new wine in the season thereof, and will pluck away my wool and my flax which should have covered her nakedness.
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