Luke 15:23
What does Luke 15:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 15:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 15:23 means
Further emphasizing the celebration, the father commands the fatted calf to be killed for a feast. The "fatted calf" was typically reserved for special occasions, signifying a joyous and significant event. This instruction highlights the father's immense delight and the scale of his welcome, transforming the son's return into a grand celebration. It underscores the profound joy that accompanies a lost one being found, reflecting the heavenly rejoicing over repentance.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make merry:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and bring the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat, and make merry:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And get the fat young ox and put it to death, and let us have a feast, and be glad.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and having brought the fatted calf, kill <FI>it<Fi> , and having eaten, we may be merry,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it: and let us eat and make merry:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry:
Context
This verse continues the father's lavish celebration, focusing on the preparation of a feast. The fatted calf is a key detail, signifying the importance and joy of the occasion. This command reinforces the theme of communal rejoicing first introduced in the parables of the lost sheep and coin, showing profound gladness for the lost son's return.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 25:6
And in this mountain will Jehovah of hosts make unto all peoples a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.
- Genesis 18:7
And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetched a calf tender and good, and gave it unto the servant; and he hasted to dress it.
- Matthew 22:2
The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a certain king, who made a marriage feast for his son,
- Isaiah 65:13
Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be put to shame;
- Proverbs 9:2
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; She hath also furnished her table:
- Psalms 63:5
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; And my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips;
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