Luke 15:19
What does Luke 15:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 15:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 15:19 means
The younger son completes his planned confession and plea, accepting his utter unworthiness to be called a son and expressing a willingness to be treated as a mere hired servant. This deep humility demonstrates a complete abandonment of his former pride and entitlement. He no longer seeks privileges or status but simply a place, any place, within his father's household, signifying the profound transformation of his heart and his genuine desire for reconciliation, even on the lowest terms.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I am no longer good enough to be named your son: make me like one of your servants.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and no more am I worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hirelings.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I am not worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I am no longer worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
Context
This verse concludes the younger son's planned speech, reinforcing the depth of his humility and his recognition of his lost status. It highlights his willingness to accept the lowest position in his father's house, which underscores the sincerity of his repentance. This anticipated plea for servant status contrasts powerfully with his father's actual reaction, revealing the vast difference between human expectation and divine grace.
v.18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight:
v.19This passage
v.20And he arose, and came to his father. But while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 15:9
For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
- Psalms 84:10
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, Than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
- Matthew 15:26
And he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread and cast it to the dogs.
- Joshua 9:24
And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that Jehovah thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you; therefore we were sore afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.
- 1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time;
- 1 Timothy 1:13
though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief;
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