Devine Scripture

Luke 15:16

What does Luke 15:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 15:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 15:16 means

The younger son's hunger was so intense that he longed to eat the carob pods (husks) fed to the pigs, but even that meager sustenance was denied him. This stark detail emphasizes his extreme starvation and utter lack of provision. The fact that "no man gave unto him" highlights his complete isolation and the loneliness of his self-imposed exile, underscoring the severity of his plight and the desperate state into which his choices had led him.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And so great was his need that he would have been glad to take the pigs' food, and no one gave him anything.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he was desirous to fill his belly from the husks that the swine were eating, and no one was giving to him.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he longed to fill his belly with the husks which the swine were eating; and no one gave to him.

Context

This verse continues to illustrate the extreme suffering of the younger son, emphasizing his profound hunger and isolation. The longing for pig's food and the refusal of help from anyone establish the absolute nadir of his experience. This dire situation serves as the final catalyst for his reflection and decision to return home, making his change of heart believable and impactful.

v.15And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

v.16This passage

v.17But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger!

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 55:2

    Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

  • Psalms 142:4

    Look onmy right hand, and see; For there is no man that knoweth me: Refuge hath failed me; No man careth for my soul.

  • Romans 6:19

    I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness unto sanctification.

  • Hosea 12:1

    Ephraim feedeth on wind, and followeth after the east wind: he continually multiplieth lies and desolation; and they make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.

  • Isaiah 57:3

    But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the harlot.

  • Psalms 73:22

    So brutish was I, and ignorant; I wasasa beast before thee.

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