Luke 15:24
What does Luke 15:24 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 15:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 15:24 means
The father explains the reason for the grand celebration: "for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found." This declaration powerfully articulates the spiritual transformation that has occurred. The son was spiritually "dead" in his rebellion and estrangement but is now "alive" through repentance and return to his father. This illustrates God's view of a repentant sinner—not merely forgiven, but completely resurrected to new life, initiating a joyful communal celebration.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For this, my son, who was dead, is living again; he had gone away from me, and has come back. And they were full of joy.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862because this my son was dead, and did live again, and he was lost, and was found; and they began to be merry.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Because this my son was dead and is come to life again, was lost and is found. And they began to be merry.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890for this my son was dead and has come to life, was lost and has been found. And they began to make merry.
Context
This verse provides the overarching explanation and spiritual interpretation for the father's joyous actions. It clearly states the reason for the celebration, emphasizing the themes of death, new life, loss, and discovery. This explanation serves as the interpretive key for the entire parable, connecting the human story to the divine truth about repentance and God's restorative power.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 31:12
And they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow unto the goodness of Jehovah, to the grain, and to the new wine, and to the oil, and to the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.
- Luke 10:19
Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall in any wise hurt you.
- Ezekiel 34:16
I will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but the fat and the strong I will destroy; I will feed them in justice.
- Ephesians 5:14
Wherefore he saith, Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee.
- John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth on me, though he die, yet shall he live;
- Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.
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