Devine Scripture

Luke 15:17

What does Luke 15:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 15:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 15:17 means

This verse describes the pivotal moment when the younger son "came to himself," a spiritual awakening where he recognizes the error of his ways. He contrasts his current starvation with the abundance enjoyed by even his father's hired servants. This clear-eyed assessment marks the beginning of his repentance, realizing the foolishness of his past choices and the security he had abandoned. It's a turning point, moving from self-pity to a pragmatic and humble desire for change.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But 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!

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But 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!

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But when he came to his senses, he said, What numbers of my father's servants have bread enough, and more, while I am near to death here through need of food!

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And having come to himself, he said, How many hirelings of my father have a superabundance of bread, and I here with hunger am perishing!

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And returning to himself, he said: How many hired servants in my father's house abound with bread, and I here perish with hunger!

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And coming to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have abundance of bread, and I perish here by famine.

Context

This verse marks the crucial turning point in the younger son's journey: his "coming to himself." It is the moment of honest self-assessment, driven by his suffering, that leads to a decision to change his circumstances. This internal realization is absolutely essential for his subsequent journey of repentance and his eventual return to his father, providing the motive for his actions.

v.16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

v.17This passage

v.18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight:

Cross references

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

  • Acts 26:11

    And punishing them oftentimes in all the synagogues, I strove to make them blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities.

  • Acts 16:29

    And he called for lights and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas,

  • Ephesians 2:4

    but God, being rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

  • Ecclesiastes 9:3

    This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea also, the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

  • Acts 2:37

    Now when they heardthis, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?

  • Titus 3:4

    But when the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared,

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